Governor Kaine Reappoints Emblidge to Board of Education

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today reappointed Dr. Mark E. Emblidge to serve on the Virginia Board of Education, a position he has held since 2002.

Emblidge serves as Director of The Literacy Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University, and is the founding director of both the Virginia Literacy Foundation and Communities in Schools of Virginia. Emblidge served on the board of the National Institute for Literacy from 1995-2002, the last four years as the board’s chair.

“Mark is recognized as expert in the field of education and a pioneer in literacy studies,” Governor Kaine said. “His experience and passion for teaching will be invaluable as we move toward excellence in our K-12 system, and as we work to expand pre-kindergarten opportunities to more of Virginia’s children.”

Dr. Mark E. Emblidge, Ph. D. Emblidge has served on the Virginia State Board of Education since 2002. He also currently serves on the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), a position he has held since 2004.

Emblidge currently serves as an affiliate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education and Director of the Literacy Institute at VCU. His research focuses on adult and family literacy, high school reform, and at-risk children. He is currently the manager and co-principal investigator of a $3.7 million federal Early Reading First Grant. In addition, Emblidge serves as the founding director of both the Virginia Literacy Foundation and Communities In Schools of Virginia.

Emblidge served four terms on the Richmond School Board beginning in 1994 and was elected three times to serve as chairman. In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed Emblidge to the board of the National Institute for Literacy. He became chair in 1998 and served in that position until the end of his term in 2002.

Emblidge received his Ph. D. and his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.

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