Skagit Valley College announces that Mary Ellen Lykins has accepted the position of director of Skagit/Islands Head Start.

Prior to joining SVC, Lykins worked as a project manager in the Head Start Training and Technical Assistance Office for the state of Utah. She also has years of experience as a Head Start manager and federal Head Start reviewer.

“Mary Ellen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of Head Start, early learning, and family support to SVC,” Dr. Joan Youngquist, Dean of Academic Education, said in a news release. “Her passion and energy for young children and their families is a perfect match for the communities we serve.”

As director of Skagit/Islands Head Start, Lykins will oversee SVC’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which serve over 450 young children and their families in Skagit, Island and San Juan counties and provide field experiences for college students in early childhood education, human services and nursing.

Lykins earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Weber State University and she is completing her master’s in organizational psychology from Walden University.