Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood

The RLEMC program was crucial in preparing me to be a researcher and a scholar. I had many experiences available to me including teaching, research, and service. Specifically, I was able to work on a large federally funded research project in each aspect of implementation. This program also allowed me to work with highly-respected faculty. Their mentoring helped cultivate my writing abilities allowing me to publish my first manuscript during my doctoral program.

These opportunities were available to me because I was in this program and because I studied at The Ohio State University. The important mentoring I received along with the experiences I had were available to me because I studied at a large research university with world-class faculty. My studies at Ohio State were made more robust because of the outreach and community research available to me in Columbus and the surrounding communities.

Jaclyn M. Dynia, PhD, 2012
Senior Researcher, Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy

I selected this program because of the university’s reputation as a leader in literacy research and teaching and for the opportunity to learn from many of the top scholars in the field of literacy.

As a doctoral student I had small, rigorous classes led by the professors currently conducting research in our field, and have learned first-hand through apprenticeships with faculty members who share my interests. These opportunities and the careful and considerate feedback that I receive on my writing and ideas have served to broaden my perspective from that of a practitioner, to one of a critical thinker and emerging scholar.

I am confident that the my coursework, experiences and the research and teaching opportunities that the program has afforded me will prepare me for a fulfilling career in literacy education.

Katie Brownfield
PhD candidate, Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood
Entered program August 2012

The RLEMC program gave me excellent background knowledge in a wide range of construct areas related to reading and literacy development. My research interests focused mainly on emergent literacy development, but I was exposed to many other relevant areas of literacy development. The faculty here prepared me with a well-developed knowledge base that guides me in my current professional research in child language and literacy development in preschool-age children at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy.

Jill Pentimoni, PhD, 2011
Research Scientist, Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy

I moved from Florida where I worked as an elementary teacher and literacy coach because of the RLEMC program at The Ohio State University. This research-focused area of study is designed to shape and cultivate scholars in early literacy with a balanced understanding of literacy learning.

I have regular opportunities to work closely with professors on research projects that align with my interests, offering me an apprenticeship through the research process. These unique mentorship experiences have led to co-presentations at national conferences and co-authored publications. The professors also encourage me to conduct my own research, which has led to submissions of sole-authored papers and presentations, both locally and nationally. The RLEMC program, with a strong community of scholars and a research-rich environment, is preparing me well for my future career at a research-intensive university.

Robert Kelly, Jr., 2016 expected graduation
PhD student, Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood

I was blessed to do my doctoral work at The Ohio State University. The knowledge I received helped shape my life and open doors that could not have been opened elsewhere. I was amazed at the personal attention I received and the guidance I was given during my time of study. I am truly honored and proud to have earned my degree from the top institution in my field.

W. Quinn White, PhD, 2005
Professor of Education, Taylor University