Cigdem Unal received the Early Childhood Champion Award from the National Coalition for Campus Children’s Centers (N4C) at the 2026 national conference.
Unal is the director of the Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR) housed in UW–Madison’s School of Education, and a dedicated advocate for children, families, and educators.
For more than two decades she has played a pivotal role in expanding the UW–Madison Child Care and Education System (CCES) and deepening support for faculty, staff, and student families across campus.
Previously recognized as a Legacy Leader by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Unal continues working to strengthen UW–Madison’s child care network, expand access to high-quality early childhood education programs, and invest in the educators and centers that serve campus families — helping establish UW–Madison as a national model for how universities can meaningfully support families and advance excellence in early childhood education.