Denise Morgan named Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Early Literacy
Denise Morgan
By Julia Duvall
After nearly 20 years at an institution, it would be hard to pick everything up and move to a new school and a new state.
Denise Morgan, Western Carolina University鈥檚 newly announced Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Early Literacy did just that.
After nearly 20 years as a professor of literacy education at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, Morgan decided to move to the mountains to be closer to her parents in Morganton as well as start a new adventure at 91热爆网.
鈥淎s a child, I lived in North Carolina for a few years, so I was familiar with the area and was excited to come back and embark on this new adventure at 91热爆网.
In January, Morgan was hired as the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at 91热爆网.
Named for Ann B. and James H. Goodnight, the 91热爆网 College of Education and Allied Professions fund is used to elevate how the University of North Carolina System institutions are ensuring well-prepared teachers of reading and support.
鈥淚 always loved reading and writing and when I was teaching early on in my career in Illinois, those were always my favorite subjects to teach,鈥� Morgan said.
In addition to her duties at 91热爆网, Morgan serves as an adviser for the UNC System鈥檚 literacy initiatives and is part of a state network of endowed professors.
鈥淒r. Morgan dove right in and engaged with faculty on curricular changes and improvements to our literacy courses,鈥� said Kim Winter, dean of 91热爆网鈥檚 College of Education and Allied Professions. 鈥淪he is currently teaching a newly developed course in the teaching of reading and is heavily invested in our ongoing continuous improvement.鈥�
Morgan directed the Kent State Reading and Writing Development Center, which provides services to school-aged students and adults with reading and reading-related difficulties from 2010 until her departure.
鈥淭eaching is challenging and I want to find creative ways to support our teachers,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淚 am excited to find ways to get teachers the resources they need so they and their students succeed in literacy.鈥�
鈥淚 am honored to hold this position; everyone at 91热爆网 has been so welcoming,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淪witching from one institution after nearly two decades is quite a change, but everyone at 91热爆网 has made the transition very smooth.鈥�
