SUU’s Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Hope Achieves NAEYC Accreditation
Published: November 13, 2026 |
Author: Gabrielle Costello |
Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University's Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Hope has officially earned full national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The achievement marks a major institutional milestone, recognizing the Center's adherence to rigorous national standards in early childhood education, safety, curriculum, and staff qualifications.
The Center for Hope serves as an essential resource on campus, offering high-quality, affordable childcare to degree-seeking parents at SUU and Southwest Tech. By providing a safe, growth-focused environment for young children, the Center allows student-parents to focus on their coursework, maintain employment, and achieve their academic goals.
The official accreditation follows an intensive year-long self-study process, culminating in a final application completed in September 2026. Center for Hope leadership chose to pursue NAEYC accreditation despite significant financial headwinds, including rising operational costs and shifting federal funding landscapes.
"Our team worked incredibly hard over this past year throughout the self-study process, and I am so proud of their dedication," said Tayzha Huxford, director of the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Hope. "We carefully considered pursuing accreditation given the financial investment and uncertainty of grant funds, but ultimately, it was important for us to show our commitment to maintaining a high-quality program for our student-parent families. This accreditation gives our amazing teachers and staff the national recognition they deserve for the care they put in every single day."
While the University was not selected to receive federal Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) grant funding, SUU is actively establishing local and regional philanthropic partnerships to sustain childcare assistance for student-parents. Working alongside the SUU Advancement team, the Center is actively connecting with community members and organizations dedicated to educational equity and family success.
Student-parents on campus, like Jacob and Emma Garcia, continue to praise the Center for Hope for not only the visually appealing space, but the accompanying staff that are passionate, eager to grow alongside their child, and foster open communication for feedback. The Garcias are both veterans who utilize the Center for Hope as Jacob finishes his mathematics degree while Emma works.
"High-quality childcare is extremely important to not only the child but to the family system," said Emma Garcia. "As a parent, every stage of your child's life comes with numerous options on how to approach it. The weight that is lifted when you can confidently feel like you've made the right choice for your child is invaluable, and that is what we felt when enrolling our children at the Center for Hope."
Learn more about the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Hope and how SUU supports childcare initiatives for student-parents.
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Family Life and Human Development
Child Care Center
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