UW Literacy Center Gains First Director

An elementary literacy specialist with strong experience developing and enhancing clinical tutoring programs is the first director of the University of Wyoming Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC).

Dana Robertson, UW assistant professor of elementary and early childhood education, assumed the LRCC’s leadership role Sept. 14. The LRCC directorship becomes part of his faculty responsibilities, in addition to teaching and research.

Wyoming Excellence in Higher Education Endowed Chair in Literacy Education Victoria Gillis and former endowed chair George Kamberelis provided early direction as part of their larger set of duties.

In his new role, Robertson assumes responsibility for further defining the center’s vision and mission. He also assumes responsibility for ensuring that professional development and research projects based out of the LRCC are aligned with those priorities.

As a UW College of Education faculty member, Robertson has played an active role in launching the LRCC since its March 2014 opening. Most notable is his work establishing an intensive summer literacy institute, part of an early focus on preparing and training tutors and a pilot program for eventually establishing a network of LRCC-supported literacy clinics in communities around Wyoming.

Other immediate program priorities for Robertson and other UW literacy education faculty members include an early childhood family literacy pilot project in Pinedale and Jackson; a disciplinary literacy project in collaboration with Wheatland Middle School teachers; and a professional development initiative with K-3 educators, jointly conducted with the Wyoming Department of Education.

As he begins his new role, Robertson has the support -- and the expertise -- of two external groups: a national peer research panel and the LRCC Advisory Board, co-chaired by Judy Catchpole, former Wyoming superintendent of public instruction, and Wyoming first lady Carol Mead.

"As first lady, I am excited about the potential to serve the literacy needs of rural communities," Mead says. "Dr. Robertson is widely respected in the field of early literacy. His scholarship and passion for the field will no doubt draw high-caliber faculty, students and research to the center and serve our communities -- large and small -- throughout the state.”

“I am thrilled with the announcement by College of Education Dean Ray Reutzel that Dr. Dana Robertson will serve as the director of the UW Literacy Center,” Catchpole says. “Dr. Robertson is recognized throughout the country for his outstanding work in literacy. His expertise, experience, enthusiasm and determination to build strong partnerships will move our literacy center forward. Dr. Robertson will now set the course to provide support and research to Wyoming schools and students.”