Conner Named the New Community Coordinator for the Office of Engagement

Ashley Conner has been selected as the new community coordinator for the Office of Engagement. In this role, Conner will be working to support and grow Purdue’s child care programs. She will also be coordinating child care efforts with the Office of the First Lady, Kei Hui. Conner will be working closely with the child care task force as well as community partners to explore creative and innovative solutions for more accessible child care options.

Conner along with vice president for engagement, Roberto Gallardo, are part of Purdue’s child care task force that will identify ways to remove bottlenecks and fully utilize the existing child care facilities to meet the needs for child care by Purdue faculty and staff.

Prior to coming to Purdue, Conner served as the youth development coordinator for the West Lafayette parks department where she grew their youth camps and child care programs. Conner graduated from Purdue with a degree in elementary education and taught first grade prior to entering the child care space fulltime.

“My goal is that our child care providers have the support they need to run programs of the highest quality and fill the need for families in the community. I also want to lift up our local teachers and child care providers by finding opportunities for them to receive the recognition they deserve. They play an instrumental part in the success of our children and community and I want to recognize them for their successes,” said Conner.

“As we work with the child care task force to bring solutions to this pressing issue, Ashley will play a vital role in providing resources and solutions to the child care effort at Purdue and the great Lafayette area,” said Gallardo.