Katia Gonzalez

Dr. Katia Gonzalez serves as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Professor/Chair of Education at Wagner College. In her administrative role within the Provost's office, she leads efforts related to academic policy and procedures, collaborates with Deans and Division Chairs to support faculty development, and oversees special programs, committees, and accreditation needs. She also serves as Director of the graduate early childhood program and is an Accreditation Commissioner for the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), where she co-chairs AAQEP's standards renewal process.

Dr. Gonzalez earned her Ed.D. from Columbia University's Teachers College in Special Education with a focus on Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the same institution, and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lynn University. Her educational background directly informs her research and teaching expertise.

Her research focuses on culturally responsive pedagogy, intercultural communication, and effective community partnerships, particularly in diverse educational settings. She emphasizes building on existing family strategies rather than imposing external solutions, recognizing that 'everyone in the room has something valuable to share.' Her work demonstrates how culturally responsive practices can create pathways for deep and ongoing partnerships between community members with diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Gonzalez has published extensively on culturally responsive teaching, literacy development for diverse learners, and trauma-informed classrooms. Her publications show a consistent focus on practical applications of educational theory in real-world settings, particularly with underserved populations.

• AAQEP's Accreditation Commissioner (2021-4 year term)
• Diversity and International Action Council Award for Diversity and Inclusion (2018)
• Wagner College Award for Excellence in Scholarship (2016)

Dr. Gonzalez is deeply involved in community engagement through the Port Richmond Partnership, where she leads literacy programs for second graders and their parents at PS 20. She co-created the 'Community Portraiture' project that brings together Wagner art students and Port Richmond residents to explore identity through art and writing. Her approach emphasizes collaboration rather than intervention, focusing specifically on cultural backgrounds, values, and traditions to build meaningful educational partnerships.