International Literacy Association honors NSU’s Dr. Michelle Fazio Brunson

NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The International Literacy Association (ILA) named Dr. Michelle Fazio Brunson of Northwestern State University (NSU) the winner of this year’s Maryann Manning Special Service Award.

The award is presented annually for “lifelong commitment of exceptional and distinguished service to the field of literacy and to ILA.”

Brunson is an education professor and the director of graduate programs in Early Childhood Education at NSU. She spearheads the Cradle to College service learning program, an intervention initiative aimed at remapping the “cradle to prison” pipeline.

The concept of the “cradle to prison” pipeline is based on data that shows children who fall behind in school by third grade are more likely to be incarcerated later in life. She hopes that by providing early support and literacy resources, those students can be redirected.

NSU faculty and students in the School of Education collect, organize, and distribute free literacy bags. Brunson actively seeks donations, grants, and other funding to support the purchase of materials for the program.

Dr. Brunson has received multiple service awards from the Southern Early Childhood Association and NSU. She recently published a book chapter about her service learning project.

“The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a professional organization with a mission of connecting research and practice to continuously improve the quality of literacy instruction across the globe.  ILA recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions of individuals and chapters in our network who are committed to our shared mission.”