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Meet Maria Gabrielli
Maria Gabrielli joined the CEED team as project/program specialist in 2025. In this Q & A, she talks about the career path that brought her to CEED and her role in the organization.
What was the career path that led you to CEED?
MG: I went to Loyola University in Chicago for college, majoring in psychology and minoring in education policy studies. During school, I volunteered at a local elementary school and tutored students who were behind grade level, and often were severely under-resourced, at school and at home. This opened my eyes to the inequities in the education system and how much it can make or break a student’s experience.
After I graduated, I found a yearlong service program through Americorps where I was a program coordinator implementing a school based literacy program. It was such a rewarding experience, but equally difficult. I was able to work one on one with students, teachers, and staff administrators and really get down to the nitty-gritty. I learned so much about how school systems operate and the complex processes behind supporting students, but I also felt ready to be part of something bigger and more innovative. I came to the U in October because CEED seemed like the perfect place to continue growing and learning—especially at the intersection of early education and technology, which has always been a huge passion of mine.
What does your role at CEED entail?
I provide project and technical support across the entire department. My responsibilities include managing our course registration system (DORS), handling purchasing, providing customer service for our online courses and CEED as a whole, and supporting Canvas for all trainings we offer, along with assisting wherever else needed. Because I am involved in nearly every project at CEED, I have a unique opportunity to see and understand all sides of the department.
What is new for you in your work at CEED?
What’s new for me at CEED is working primarily behind the scenes rather than on the front lines with students. Instead of directly supporting learners in a classroom or school setting, I’m now supporting the systems, technology, and processes that make CEED’s work possible. I’m also gaining experience being involved in many projects at once, which has given me a broader understanding of how the department functions as a whole and how operational work can have a wide-reaching impact on early education.
Maria Gabrielli
What are you most looking forward to in your role?
I’m most looking forward to continuing to learn more about the early childhood field and the important work being done across it. I’m also excited to keep building relationships with my colleagues and getting to know the university as a whole. I’ve also really been enjoying the staff athletic tickets—they’ve been a fun way to feel more connected to campus!
What are some of your interests and activities outside of work?
Outside of work, I love reading, going on long walks in the northeast neighborhood, finding live music, and yoga. In the summer, I am in a Swim Club that meets weekly to swim in the lakes of Minneapolis! I also like crafting, traveling as much as possible, and spending time with friends and family. I also have two nephews who are three and one. I absolutely adore them and spoil them as much as I can!