KINGSTON, R.I. – June 3, 2026 – Jessica MacLeod, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus Child Development Center, was named the recipient of the International Association of Laboratory Schools (IALS) Mary Jane Taylor Distinguished Service Award.

The IALS is an international organization that supports university- and college-affiliated laboratory schools. The URI College of Health Sciences’ Child Development Centers on the Providence and Kingston Campuses are the only two laboratory schools in Rhode Island.

“This recognition means a lot to me as I deeply value the work of IALS as a professional organization and I’m proud to actively contribute to the work of IALS, along with all of the CDC teachers and Delia Hall, who directs the URI’s Providence CDC site,” said MacLeod, who lives in Wood River Junction, Rhode Island.

The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon individuals who give their time, energy, and expertise to the IALS far beyond their formal responsibilities.

“Since joining IALS, you have given far more than what was ever expected,” wrote IALS Executive Director Nicolás Ramos in a congratulatory letter. “Your willingness to step forward, your reliability, and your genuine commitment to advancing the mission of our organization have made a lasting impact on our community.”

MacLeod’s proudest achievement as director was hosting the IALS’s annual conference in 2025, which attracted 112 participants representing 32 laboratory schools from seven countries. During the three-day conference, attendees visited both URI child development centers and other local schools, participated in workshops, listened to poster presentations, and enjoyed a storytelling session by Valerie Tutson of Rhode Island Black Storytellers.

“I was impressed with how our team of teachers, along with undergraduate student volunteers, came together with such enthusiasm and dedication to host an amazing international conference showcasing our URI lab schools,” said MacLeod.

Ramos noted MacLeod’s contributions to hosting the international conference in his letter.

“You played a pivotal role in planning the 2025 annual conference at your university, a task that required immense dedication, organization, and leadership,” wrote Ramos.

MacLeod has been the director of the child development center in Kingston since 2015. She was previously a kindergarten classroom teacher at the site. As an undergraduate student at URI, MacLeod was a work-study student assistant at the child development center.