The International Literacy Association (ILA) announced the results of the ILA 2024 Board Election today, introducing Dana A. Robertson as the newly elected vice president of the Board.
Robertson, associate professor of reading/literacy education and the program leader of the Reading and Literacy Education Program at Virginia Tech, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role.
An ILA member since 2005, Robertson has been serving as a member-at-large on the Board since 2021. His new term begins July 1, 2024, and he will assume the presidency of the Board on July 1, 2025.
Robertson is a former classroom teacher, literacy specialist and literacy coach. His research focuses on classroom discourse and oral language, comprehension instruction, reading and writing challenges, literacy coaching and teacher professional learning. Recognized as an Emerging Scholar by the Reading Hall of Fame in 2013, Robertson has since coauthored and coedited three books, including Innovation, Equity, and Sustainability in Literacy Professional Learning, authored and coauthored four book chapters, and published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, including ILA’s The Reading Teacher and Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.
Robertson is the current chair of the ILA Research Committee. During his time on the Board, he also served on the National Recognition Commission, Global Committee, and Finance Committee. His commitment to the organization was steadfast prior to Board service. He was a writer for ILA’s Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals, 2017 Edition and a reviewer for the ILA Certificate of Distinction. He served on the Board Nominations Committee, was a writer for Literacy Today member magazine, a peer reviewer for The Reading Teacher, and a frequent presenter for digital events and annual conferences.
"At ILA, we have been diligently refining our thought leadership, member resources, and outreach to better serve our global membership, which has expanded member engagement and brought a rich diversity of perspectives to the conversations,” Robertson said. “These initiatives are just starting points that I believe will take root and multiply over the coming years. We must advocate for work that reflects global needs and understandings of literacy teaching and learning. In doing so, we will continue to ensure broader representation and reach.”
Three new Board members-at-large were also elected for the 2024–2027 term:
Sonja Ezell, associate professor and clinical assistant professor, College of Education, University of Texas at Arlington. An ILA member since 2014, Ezell is the current chair of ILA’s Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards Committee. She has been a frequent presenter at past conferences and digital events and served as a peer reviewer for Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. Her research interests include early childhood literacy, educator preparation, multicultural children’s literature, and social-emotional learning.
Delilah Gonzales, associate professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Texas Southern University. An ILA member since 2010, Gonzales is also the university’s director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice. Her research interests include literacy and language development.
Katina Zammit, associate professor, School of Education, Western Sydney University. An ILA member since 2006, Zammit serves on ILA’s International Development in Oceania Committee. She is also president of the ILA affiliate Australian Literacy Educators’ Association. Her research interests include pedagogy for students from low socioeconomic, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, multimodality, and leadership for pedagogical change.
Ezell, Gonzalez, Robertson, and Zammit were elected by ILA’s membership during the ILA 2024 Board Election, which was conducted online between April 1 and April 30, 2024. The new vice president and members-at-large will begin their terms on July 1, 2024.