Allyson remains focused on driving social change through education, with a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in her community and beyond.

Allyson Andrews is beginning her PhD in metropolitan education at UM-Dearborn, having previously earned a Master of Social Work from UM-Ann Arbor. Allyson is a first-generation college student and an accomplished scholar and leader. Allyson has been recognized as an Integrated Health with Medically Underserved Populations Scholar and a Caren Kaplan Scholarship Awardee. She is also an active Child Welfare Student Association member, advocating for policies and practices that improve child welfare services.

Allyson has made a significant impact in metro Detroit by opening and managing four award-winning childcare centers. These centers have been recognized for their excellence in early childhood education and have secured numerous grants. Beyond her work as a business owner, Allyson is a sought-after consultant, providing expertise to governmental systems and childcare providers on how to start, grow, and expand operations. Her consulting work involves collaborating with small businesses, county commissioners, and development authorities to create sustainable systems, improve access to capital, and implement effective policies.

In addition to her business and consulting work, Allyson is a Trauma-Informed Programs & Practices for Schools Consultant and Content Expert for U-M, creating professional development training aimed at helping early childhood educators adopt trauma-informed approaches. She has led various professional development efforts that shape the way schools serve children and families across Michigan. Allyson’s advocacy work also extends to policy-making, where she works with local and state leaders to champion equitable access to resources in childcare and education. Allyson is a proud wife of 12 years and mother of 4 children (ages 11, 10, 8, and 5).

As she begins her PhD, Allyson remains focused on driving social change through education, with a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in her community and beyond. One of her mentors remarked, “Allyson is an analytical thinker and is stimulated by new academic challenges. This trait makes her strive for innovative solutions to real-world problems with a strong desire to improve the world with an anti-racist lens.”

CEW+ celebrates Allyson’s advocacy and names her a Jean W. Campbell Scholar.