Michelle Sarche joins the Institute as professor and project lead
Omaha, Neb.—Michelle Sarche, a leading researcher and expert in Native American child development, parenting, and early care and education, has joined the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska as a professor and project lead. Trained as a clinical psychologist, Sarche is a Tribal citizen of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe and has worked with Native American communities for more than 25 years to conduct research to improve access and quality in Tribal early childhood programs.
At the Institute, Sarche will continue her work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities focusing on children’s development, parenting, and early care environments such as Head Start, home visiting, and child care. In conjunction with her role at the Institute, Sarche will have an appointment as professor with tenure at the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Her first day at the Institute was Dec. 1.
Previously, she was a professor in the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to do meaningful work with and for Indigenous families, children, and communities at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute,” Sarche said. “The Institute is a leader both within Nebraska and nationally in early childhood education, research, and policy. I am excited to join the team to expand the breadth and depth of their work.”
Sarche is nationally known for supporting the health and well-being of Native American families and centering their voices, culture, and experiences in her work and research. In addition, she provides valuable mentorship and support to the next generation of Indigenous scholars and researchers.
Her current projects include the Tribal Early Childhood Research Center (TRC), the Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE) Conference and Scholars program, the Center for Indigenous Research Collaborations and Learning in Home Visiting (CIRCLE-HV), and the Community-Driven Indigenous Research, Cultural Strengths and Leadership to Advance Equity in Substance Use Outcomes (CIRCLE) P50 Center of Excellence. The CIRCLE Center is funded by the National Institutes of Health and serves as a hub for Indigenous-led research to address substance-use issues and inequities, prevention, and recovery.
Sarche will continue her work on these projects, bringing the Buffett Institute in as an additional partner to collaborations between major Indigenous health research centers nationwide, including the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the Center for Indigenous Health at the Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout her career, she has brought in millions of dollars in grant and contract funding from sources such as the federal Administration for Children and Families, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Since 2018, Sarche has been an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow.
“Michelle Sarche has contributed immensely to the field of early childhood development and education and has done so with great care and respect for the Native American communities she works alongside,” said Walter Gilliam, the executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. “Her research and scholarship will only help the Buffett Institute grow its research and grant opportunities, while also elevating the needs and voices of the Tribal communities in Nebraska and beyond.”
Sarche graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her master’s and doctorate degrees from Loyola University Chicago.
“The Munroe-Meyer Institute conducts wide-ranging research on topics like child development, disabilities, psychology, and genetics,” said Dr. Karoly Mirnics, the director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute. “We’re excited to add Michelle Sarche, a respected scholar and researcher, to our faculty ranks.”
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute is the University of Nebraska’s system-wide institute dedicated to the learning and development of young children. The Buffett Institute was established with a founding gift from Omaha philanthropist Susie Buffett and opened its doors in 2013.