Jean Mullan: Supporting and Improving Literacy

mproving literacy in American schools is a complex and challenging issue. Research in this critical field will be further advanced with the establishment of the Jean Mullan Professorship in Literacy at the College of Education. This is the first endowed professorship within the college. This year, she also established the Jeffrey and David Mullan Professorship for Teacher Education and Professional Development.

The literacy professorship has been endowed through a generous $500,000 gift by Mullan '68, chair of the College of Education Campaign Cabinet. The fund provides significant support each year for an esteemed scholar to conduct literacy-related research to improve education throughout all grades in American schools.

Professor John T. Guthrie is the inaugural Jean Mullan Professor of Literacy. An endowed professorship is one of the highest honors a college can bestow, and is reserved for an eminent scholar whose work substantially advances the discipline. Guthrie, a professor in the Department of Human Development, is director of the university's Maryland Literacy Research Center. His research emphasizes children's motivation for reading.

"To be named the Jean Mullan Professor in Literacy is extremely special, it is a real culmination and recognition of the research I've done with many outstanding colleagues," Guthrie says. "I recognize the power of this gift-research into reading and literacy is my way to advance the cause to help others, especially children."

"My investment in the College of Education and its faculty is anchored in my belief that education truly transforms lives and opens many doors for kids," says Mullan, a former classroom educator, a civic volunteer and a mother. "My hope is that my gift will help the college to remain at the forefront in research that addresses motivation and engagement in reading and that many generations of students will benefit from the good work of Dr. Guthrie and his colleagues."