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May 17, 2023Virginia Goatley Named Dean of UAlbany’s School of Education
Virginia Goatley, a longtime leader and nationally recognized scholar at the University at Albany, has been named dean of the School of Education, Provost Carol Kim announced.
Goatley, who has been serving as the school’s interim dean since June 2021, is a professor of literacy teaching and learning, and has held multiple leadership roles during her 28 years of service at UAlbany.
“President Rodríguez and I are pleased that she has accepted this new mantle of leadership, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with her as dean,” Kim said.
As interim dean, Goatley led several initiatives within the School of Education, such as expanding diversity, equity, inclusion and justice initiatives and efforts, creating support structures for research and external funding, increasing donor/alumni collaborations, and extending numerous community engagement activities and programs.
She has held previous leadership positions within the school, including chair of the Department of Literacy Teaching & Learning, vice dean, and associate dean for professional studies, during which time she led several initiatives for School of Education programs, such as online programs, successful national accreditation, creating the Pathways Into Education Center, community engagement projects and connections to policy initiatives.
“It is an honor to serve as the 10th dean of the UAlbany School of Education. With an in-depth knowledge of the school, I look forward to drawing on its history to extend innovative connections with the University, PK-12 education, community members and the education field more broadly,” Goatley said. “I am proud to continue our long tradition of excellence in collaboration with our outstanding SOE faculty, staff and students.”
Goatley’s primary research interest is preventing reading and writing difficulties for children. Her research focuses on teacher preparation and professional development, and her work has attracted competitive external funds, including various federal and state grants.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Charles Mackey Award for Excellence in Service Leadership from the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Albert J. Kingston Service Award from the Literacy Research Association, and the UAlbany President’s Excellence in Faculty Academic Service Award.
Goatley is a regular participant in national and statewide efforts for teacher education and preparation of literacy professionals. She is currently a board member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (treasurer), New York State Professional Standards and Practices for Teaching Board (co-chair), New York Association of College Teacher Educators, and the Literacy Research Association. She was a co-editor of the Journal of Literacy Research, a publication of the Literacy Research Association, from 2016 to 2019.
Goatley completed her higher education at Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in reading Instruction, and a PhD in educational psychology (literacy).
