Tonya R. Tate, Ph.D. is affiliated faculty in the Early Childhood Education & Adolescent Development program (formerly known as Child & Adolescent Development) at Union Institute and University. A former preschool teacher, her current interest focuses on early care and education workforce development and positive college transitions among underrepresented groups. Dr. Tate has previously served in an LAUP grant-funded bridge program that supported the early care & education workforce as they transitioned from community college to 4-year university setting. In addition to Union, she has taught at CSU Dominguez Hills, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, and Northcentral University.

Dr. Tate received her B.A. in Child Development from California State University, Northridge, her M.A. in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. degree in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University.