Two events are planned: a 4 p.m. presentation and panel discussion about the second report from the Buffett Institute/Gallup Survey on Early Childhood Care and Education in Nebraska, and a 5 p.m. reception introducing Kathleen Gallagher, the first Cille and Ron Williams Community Chair for Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The new report, Nebraskans Speak About the Early Care and Education Workforce, examines views of the teachers and caregivers who work with young children from birth through age 8. A brief overview of findings by the Buffett Institute's founding executive director, Sam Meisels, and the director of workforce planning and development, Susan Sarver, will be followed by a panel discussion about the report's implications for the state. The panel includes Molly O'Holleran, member of the Nebraska State Board of Education; Carol Renner, associate superintendent at Kearney Public Schools; Mike Schnieders, president and CEO of CHI Health Good Samaritan; and Sarver.

Following the discussion will be a reception for Gallagher, who will work with both UNK and the Buffett Institute to apply early childhood research that will help families and early childhood professionals in Kearney and across the state. Her position is the first endowed chair in UNK's College of Education. Scheduled to speak at the reception are Douglas Kristensen, UNK chancellor; Sheryl Feinstein, dean of UNK's College of Education; Meisels, and Gallagher.