
Denise Morgan named Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Early Literacy

Denise Morgan
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, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµâ€™s 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 Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ.
“As 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 Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ.
In January, Morgan was hired as the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ.
Named for Ann B. and James H. Goodnight, the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ 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.
“I 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,� Morgan said.
In addition to her duties at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ, Morgan serves as an adviser for the UNC System’s literacy initiatives and is part of a state network of endowed professors.
“Dr. Morgan dove right in and engaged with faculty on curricular changes and improvements to our literacy courses,â€� said Kim Winter, dean of Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµâ€™s College of Education and Allied Professions. “She is currently teaching a newly developed course in the teaching of reading and is heavily invested in our ongoing continuous improvement.â€�
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.
“Teaching is challenging and I want to find creative ways to support our teachers,� Morgan said. “I am excited to find ways to get teachers the resources they need so they and their students succeed in literacy.�
“I am honored to hold this position; everyone at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ has been so welcoming,â€� Morgan said. “Switching from one institution after nearly two decades is quite a change, but everyone at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ has made the transition very smooth.â€�