Jocelyn Smith-Gray

Jocelyn Smith-Gray is a Lecturer, holding a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) from Fayetteville State University, an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Ashford, and a B.A. in Birth through Kindergarten Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She obtained her teaching license through UNCP's School of Education and has nearly a decade of experience teaching undergraduate courses in Birth through Kindergarten and pre-education majors.

Her research focuses on:

• Social justice frameworks in teacher preparation programs
• Diversity and inclusion in educational settings
• Culturally responsive pedagogy for early childhood
• Transformative leadership approaches in academia

She serves as co-editor for The Gloria Ladson-Billing Reader and is authoring the forthcoming book Teacher Education Department Chairs and Social Justice: Transformative Leadership through Inclusivity (Lexington Books). Her dissertation examined department chairs leading social-justice-focused teacher preparation programs. She was selected for the 13th Annual Asa G. Hilliard III and Barbara A. Sizemore Research Course (canceled due to pandemic).