About

Melinda Sanchez currently serves as the Child Development Associate (CDA) Coordinator at the Early Childhood Innovation Center at Delaware State University, bringing over 20 years of experience supporting educators, children from infancy through age 12, and their families. She is passionate about helping early childhood professionals earn their CDA® credential and thrive in their careers. 

In her role, Melinda works closely with the Early Childhood Initiatives Officer to lead Delaware’s statewide CDA® initiative, ensuring a smooth and supportive process for engagement, retention, and credential completion. She oversees the cohort delivery system, coordinates Quorum activities, monitors participant progress, and acts as the ECIC’s primary liaison to the Council for Professional Recognition. Melinda also provides technical assistance to partners across the state, promoting consistency through training, monitoring, and continued support. A key part of her work includes recruiting and advising new students, offering guidance through each stage of the credentialing journey—including portfolio development. 

Prior to joining the ECIC, Melinda served as a ECIC CDA® Coach at Kingswood Community Center, where she provided one-on-one coaching and leadership to early childhood professionals. She specialized in relationship-based coaching and cohort facilitation, supporting educators as they worked toward their credentials with confidence and clarity. 

Driven by her deep commitment to early childhood education, Melinda is dedicated to empowering professionals with the tools, support, and knowledge they need to make a lasting impact in the field.