Patricia Snyder, Ph.D.

Advisory Board – Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies

Research Interests:
Early childhood education

Dr. Snyder is the Director of the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies and the inaugural recipient of the David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies. She is a professor of special education and early childhood studies in the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies, College of Education. In the College of Medicine, she is an affiliate professor of pediatrics and an affiliate faculty member of the Institute for Child Health Policy. Dr. Snyder is widely regarded for her research focused on developing, validating, and evaluating interventions for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with or at risk for disabilities or those with social and behavioral challenges.

Dr. Snyder has had various roles in interdisciplinary early intervention and early learning programs for young children from birth to age 5, their families, and the personnel who support them. She has been a home visitor, classroom teacher, clinical coordinator, and staff member, program director, faculty member, higher education administrator, and researcher. She brings to each position an unwavering commitment to integrate and improve interdisciplinary systems, services, and supports to enhance the quality and effectiveness of early intervention and early learning.

Dr. Snyder has a sustained publication record including 116 refereed articles, book chapters, and books. She has served as principal investigator (PI) or co-principal investigator (Co-PI) for many externally funded projects, including studies funded by the Institute of Education Sciences. She has received numerous honors and awards for her teaching, research, and service excellence.