New Director of Migrant Education Named

The migrant education program at Millersville University, which has educated thousands of children through the years, has a new leader. David Baird took the reins as director in March 2021.  

 Baird, who has previous experience in migrant education, says he’s ready to take on the duties that come with leading the program.  

“The migrant education program’s mission is to improve high school graduation rates en route to higher education for student participants through creative, robust, supplemental instruction and support from Pre-K to 12th grade.” Baird explains.  

The migrant education program assists students and families whose education and lives have been interrupted by a migrant lifestyle. By providing educational and instructional services, the program’s mission is to support students with day programs, preschool services, special projects and more.  

Baird previously served as director of migrant education at Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Milton, Pennsylvania. There, he was responsible for 27 counties in the surrounding area as turnkey manager. Baird was also the migrant education program statewide recruitment coordinator at the Center for Schools and Communities in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. 

In addition to his experience in the field of migrant education, Baird also has educational experience. He has a bachelor’s degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in political science from Brigham Young University. He also has a master’s of education in Adult Education with a concentration on training and professional development. He lived for two years in the Patagonian region of Chile and is bilingual in Spanish and English. 

“I hope for the program to identify and enroll all eligible students into the Millersville University Migrant Education Program to increase its size and scope,” Baird says on his hopes for the program moving forward.  

Baird will be responsible for full planning, implementation and program improvement efforts including management, fiscal matters, data, student support and recruitment.  

“I’m excited to be at Millersville University to work in the Migrant Education Program in the region where I reside,” Baird concludes.  

For more information about the migrant education program, visit https://www.millersville.edu/migranted/index.php.