Dr. Edmund W. Gordon (born 1921 in Goldsboro, North Carolina), a professor of psychology, "had a tremendous influence on contemporary thinking in psychology, education and social policy and the implications of his work for the schooling of lower status youth and children of color, in America".[1]
Professor Gordon’s career spans professional practice, minister, clinical and counseling psychologist, research scientist, author, editor, and professor. Gordon was recognized as a preeminent scholar of African-American studies when he was awarded the 2011 Dr. John Hope Franklin Award from Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Council on Education.[2][3]
Professor Gordon received his Bachelors Degree in Zoology and Social Ethics in Divinity from Howard University, a Master of Arts degree in Social Psychology from American University, and the Doctor of Education degree in child development and guidance from Teachers College, Columbia University. He was awarded the Masters of Arts degree (honorary) from Yale University and the Doctor of Humane Letters degree (honorary) from Yeshiva University and Brown University.[4]
From July 2000 until August 2001 he was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Interim Dean at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology Emeritus at Yale University, the Richard March Hoe Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and founding Director of the Institute for Research on African Diaspora in the Americas and Caribbean (IRADAC) at The City College of New York.[5] Dr. Gordon is currently the Senior Scholar in Residence at SUNY Rockland Community College, and recently had a Chair named in his honor at the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey.
Gordon is primarily interested in the development of African-American students who triumphed over significant odds to become better achievers. He is widely known for his research on diverse human characteristics and pedagogy, and the education of socio-economic low status populations. His research includes the advancement of the concepts of "the Achievement Gap," "Affirmative development of academic ability," and "Supplementary Education," all which focus on improving the quality of academic achievement in diverse learners. His publications consist of more than 175 articles and 15 books and monographs.
His current research study "Correlates of High Achievement" is investigating, through several projects, personal, ecological, and institutional factors that are associated with high levels of academic achievement in a variety of ethnic minority students.
On June 28, 2010, he was awarded the 2010 American Educational Research Association (AERA) "Relating Research to Practice Award."[6]
He has been married to Dr. Susan Gitt Gordon, a pediatrician for over 60 years. Together they have four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. In 2000, they co-founded The CEJJES Institute in Pomona, New York on route NY 45 in Rockland County, New York to serve the African Diaspora.