Shirley Dalton Wells, early childhood education director at STEP, has been named to the 2017 Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) Distinguished Alumni.

Wells, of Axton, earned a certificate in child care, an associate in applied science in early childhood education, and an associate of arts and science in education from PHCC before continuing her education at Averett University, where she earned a bachelor of applied science in teaching.

As early childhood education director, Wells oversees the Early Head Start and Head Start programs offered by STEP in Franklin and Patrick counties. Early Head Start/Head Start are child development and school readiness programs for low-income families. Currently, more than 200 children are enrolled in the local programs.

Wells has been employed by STEP for almost 20 years.