Virginia Tech announced Tuesday it has hired Kristin Gehsmann as the director of the School of Education, effective Aug. 1. She will also serve as an education professor.

Gehsmann was most recently a professor and chair of the department of literacy studies, English education and history education at East Carolina University. During her time at ECU, Gehsmann created an online master’s program and worked to increase peer-reviewed scholarly work and sponsored research — and is credited for raising $20 million in sponsored research and programs. She also worked to advance early learning and early reading legislation. Before ECU, she had been an elementary school teacher and an assistant professor at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.

In her new role, Gehsmann says she will be focused on equity and innovation in education. “When it comes to education, it’s crucial to consider how we can improve people’s access to higher education and opportunities for continuous learning and growth,” she said in a statement. “We need to put ladders in place so more people can reach their goals.”

The Virginia Tech School of Education currently offers 18 master’s programs, 20 doctoral programs and 14 teaching licensure programs, along with educational specialist programs, advanced licensure endorsement programs and graduate certificate programs.

Gehsmann earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Central Connecticut State University. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Vermont. She has co-authored two literacy development and literacy assessment textbooks, set to come out later this year. 

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