Cigdem Unal

Since 2015, Cigdem Unal has been serving as the Director of the UW–Madison Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR), bringing more than 25 years of dedicated experience in supporting parenting students, their families and children, and advancing early childhood education programs within higher education. Holding both a B.A. and M.A. in Education, she has made meaningful contributions to the field as an NAEYC assessor, trainer, writer, consultant, presenter, and instructor.
A passionate and visionary leader, Cigdem has transformed access to high-quality child care and early education for UW–Madison families. Under her leadership, the university’s child care and education system has experienced remarkable growth. What began with three campus child care centers, two contracted programs, and a network of accredited family child care programs has evolved into the UW–Madison Child Care & Education System (CCES)—now comprised of the three original campus child care centers, nine licensed and accredited network centers, and nearly 100 accredited family child care providers across the city and state. These programs prioritize enrollment for UW families while helping meet the growing demand for accessible, high-quality early learning opportunities.
Cigdem’s impact extends well beyond addressing child care and education needs—she has expanded programs that also serve as meaningful learning experiences for UW students. These initiatives provide aspiring educators with hands-on training in early childhood settings, equipping them with the practical skills and foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
The centers within the UW–Madison Child Care & Education System serve a dual purpose: delivering essential child care and education services to the university community, while also functioning as dynamic training sites for future educators. Their rich learning environments support not only children and families but also UW–Madison’s research and academic missions. Through collaborations with faculty, these centers contribute to teaching, research, outreach, and student development—advancing the university’s broader goals and embodying the Wisconsin Idea in action.
Cigdem began her professional journey at UW–Madison as a teacher at Eagle’s Wing and has since served in key leadership roles, including Director of Children’s Centers at UW–Whitewater and Madison College Child and Family Centers. Her strategic leadership has strengthened funding and broadened support through initiatives like the UW–Madison Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP), empowering parenting students to continue their education and successfully reach their academic goals.
Cigdem’s professional contributions include articles such as “As Directors, How Do We Create Engaging, Inspiring, and Productive Early Childhood Work Environments?” and “Leadership Development for a Changing Early Childhood Landscape,” which reflect her commitment to advancing leadership in early childhood education. She has been recognized as an Exchange Leader and honored with numerous awards, including the NAEYC Legacy Leader Fellowship (2014), the Rainbow Project Extra Mile Award (2018), the Madison College TRIO Program Recognition Award, and the Madison College Outstanding Employee Awards.
She is also a certified trainer with the National Louis University McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership and a graduate of their Taking Charge of Change Train-the-Trainer program. Her dedication to effective, forward-thinking leadership continues to improve outcomes for children, families, and educators across campus and in the broader community.
Through her collaborative and strategic leadership, Cigdem cultivates strong partnerships, fosters innovation, and drives continuous improvement—leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on early childhood education at UW–Madison, across the UW System, and beyond.
Outside of her professional life, Cigdem and her family enjoy traveling, cooking, and reading. These passions inspire her creativity and broaden her perspective, enriching both her work and personal life.