Program Support Specialist

Adrienne Murrell is a Program Support Specialist at NLI, providing support for professional development and instructional management.  Adrienne is an early childhood education leader with experience in policy consulting, program management, business development, and community engagement. She is passionate about supporting children’s health, development, and learning through purposefully designed learning environments.

Prior to NLI, Adrienne was a Policy Consultant with the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education, where Adrienne focused on regulatory compliance, development, and interpretation of early childhood policies, and provided consultation to community partners. Her work supported compliance with state and federal guidelines and promoted continuous improvement in early childhood programs.

Previously, Adrienne spent over 10 years as a District Manager of early childhood education centers, where she directed school operations and partnered with school teams to ensure health and safety compliance, led education programs, and supported ECE initiatives.  Her experience also includes roles as a Quality Enhancement Specialist at Wake County Smart Start and as a school principal, where she managed preschool and K-5 programs, including an NC WILD education site.  Adrienne’s early work as a Research Assistant at North Carolina State University focused on early childhood memory, narrative development, and learning environments.

Adrienne holds an M.S. in Developmental Psychology and a B.S. in Psychology from North Carolina State University. She grew up in Eastern North Carolina where she enjoyed roaming the woods and fields with her dogs, seeking adventure and observing wildlife.  Today, Adrienne enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, gardening, and other outdoor activities with her family. 

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