Keynote Speaker
Patricia Horne McGee, is a product of Ypsilanti Michigan and the 1960s. Patricia received degrees from Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University . She completed the management fellowship in the UCLA Anderson School of Business, and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Infant Mental Health at the University of Michigan, and the Nike Starting Block management training program . She was named as a Doris Duke Early Childhood Scholar and was selected by the Children's Defense Fund for specialized study at the Haley Farm in Tennessee, with Marion Wright Edelman (one of her sheroes) She completed the Non Profit Directors institute of the State of Michigan Non Profit Association. She has traveled extensively.
- She has experience as an AFDC caseworker, as Manager in the Ann Arbor Model cities program, Director of the Washtenaw County Community Coordinated Child Care, Assistant Professor of Child Development, Sociology and Social Work at Ferrisi State University-tenured, Tenured Associate professor of Social Work, at University of Detroit-Mercy, Field Instructor for the schools of Social Work at UofM, E.M.U, and Mercy, Director of the Wayne County RESA Head Start Program-serving over 3700 diverse low income children and families in a quality pre school program , and finally as Director of The Washtenaw County Head Start Program serving over 600 diverse low income children and families, annually, before retiring in 2011.
- In the 25 years she worked as Head Start Grantee Director, she led both of these faltering programs to National Programs of Excellence including the recognition for managing diversity
- Her consultant work has been with early childhood and Head Start staff at all levels as well as parents, on sites, and at National, Regional and state meetings. She has served as a Federal Program Reviewer, grant writer and grant reader, ensuring the managing of diversity throughout. Additionally , she has provided consultant services to labor unions, school districts, for profit as well as non profit organizations, especially in the areas of managing diversity, community and child development.
- Board work includes the Ypsilanti Area Community Foundation, the Huron Valley Girl , Success by Six, the National Association of Social Workers, the Huron Valley Association of Black Social Workers, the National Black Child Development Association, the Child Care Network Board, the Ypsilanti Planning Commission, the Ypsilanti Convention And Visitors Bureau, the Parkridge Community Center Advisory Board, the Ypsilanti Recreation Department, the Ypsilanti District Library and Washtenaw Literacy Council.
Her community leadership skills have been demonstrated as the President of the Michigan Head Start Association, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Service Sorority and the Ann Arbor Links. She has served as President of the Sorority twice and as Vice President of the Links. One of her passions is ensuring literacy, in all areas, (financial, economic, reading, cognitive, social) for all, especially children.