The National Academy of Education (NAEd) has confirmed the start of Vivian L. Gadsden’s term as vice president. Gadsden, the William T. Carter Professor of Child Development and Education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), succeeds Pam Grossman, former Penn GSE dean and professor emerita of education.
The NAEd, composed of scholars recognized for outstanding contributions to education research, aims to strengthen the use of evidence in policy and practice. Gadsden’s appointment reinforces the organization’s commitment to connecting research with community impact and practical outcomes.
A career focused on family and community learning
At Penn GSE, Gadsden’s research examines how parental engagement, literacy, and intergenerational learning affect children’s development, particularly among at-risk populations. Her work has helped shape policy discussions on family-centered education and community-based learning.
Beyond Penn, she has served as president of the American Educational Research Association, chaired the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on Supporting Parents of Young Children, and co-founded the National Center on Fathers and Families. She also co-leads the Penn Early Childhood and Family Research Center.
Commenting on the appointment, Katharine Strunk, Dean and George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education at Penn GSE, says: “For decades, Professor Vivian Gadsden has paired rigorous inquiry with deep and abiding care for the lives of children and families, reshaping how our field understands early childhood development.
“Her appointment as vice president of the National Academy of Education recognizes not only her intellectual leadership, but the generosity of spirit that animates her scholarship and mentorship. We are incredibly proud to call her our colleague at Penn GSE.”
Gadsden’s tenure begins this month, with her first priorities expected to center on strengthening connections between academic research and the policies that influence families, schools, and communities.
About the Author
