About Dr. Gray

I was born and raised in Schaumburg, IL until age 15. I attended Schaumburg H.S. and as a freshman played on the state championship field hockey team; was all conference in bowling (yes, you read that right: bowling); and played softball. Much to my dismay, my family moved to Charlottesville, VA where I attended and graduated from Western Albemarle H.S. Ironically, as much as I hated the move for a long time, I was the only one in my family who remained in Virginia, and still find it to be one of the most beautiful places I've been. I have two awesome children Kyle and Meredith who were born there as well.

I attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA and taught 8th grade language arts and 6th grade social studies and language arts in Augusta County, VA for seven years. In 1998 I graduated from the University of Virginia with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. I decided then to uproot my family to Carbondale, Illinois so I could begin a career in higher education at Southern Illinois University. (A Saluki, by the way, is an ancient breed of tall slender dog developed in Arabia and Egypt and having a smooth, silky, variously colored coat. Go Saluki's!)

In July, 2005 I interviewed at Kennesaw State University and intended, if offered a position, to negotiate a January '06 start date. However, I was so WOWED by the awesome people I met, and had such a fun, exciting, and enriching experience that I went home, called a moving company, came back, attended the departmental retreat, bought a house, and moved three weeks later. Now that's the way to move! It all happened so fast there was no time to think or plan--just act!

Feel free to look around this site to learn more about my family and friends, the courses I teach, and the research I'm interested in.