Stephen P. Zwolak

Stephen Zwolak, former Executive Director and founder of LUME Institute

Steve Zwolak led University City Children’s Center as its Executive Director from 2000 until his retirement in 2023, and founded its subsidiary, LUME Institute, in 2008. Mr. Z, as he is fondly known, started his 50-year career in the field as a classroom teacher. At UCCC, he built an approach to early childhood education founded on creating a nurturing and emotionally responsive environment for children. His innovation brought together theoretical, observational, and neuroscientific research that emphasizes the critical importance of children’s emotional development to their future success.

Mr. Z created LUME Institute to elevate early childhood education by bringing the successful emotionally responsive practices developed at UCCC to early childhood educators and leaders in the St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond. LUME programs are strengthening teacher-child bonds, building teachers’ understanding of social and emotional development, and creating a strong foundation for school and life success for thousands of children from all walks of life.

The UCCC children, families, staff, and board of today and over his decades of service are forever grateful to Steve Zwolak for his vision and commitment.