Rate My Professor Marie Donovan

Marie Ann Donovan is an Associate Professor and Program Director in the Teacher Education, Kinesiology, and Educational Studies department at DePaul University's College of Education. She holds an EdD from Harvard University, an MSEd from Queens College of the City University of New York, and a BA from Marist College. Donovan joined DePaul University in 1996 and has advanced through key leadership positions, including Associate Dean of the School of Education, Interim Dean in 2008, Chair of the Teacher Education Department, and member of the School of Education's Executive Council and Associate Deans’ Council. She currently serves as Chair of the Faculty Advisory Council of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Donovan was instrumental in developing innovative programs, such as a joint degree with DePaul’s School for New Learning and new five-year degree programs with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Specializing in early childhood education, Donovan teaches courses including ECE 384 Capstone in Early Childhood Education, EE 324 Reading and Language Arts in the Early Years, EE 347 Children's Literature, T&L 434 Literacy & Literature in the Early Years, and PE 325 Language & Literacy in the Physical Education Setting. Her research interests include adult vocational learning, early childhood professional education, two- and four-year articulation models, family literacy education, vocabulary acquisition and development, and children’s literature for building family literacy. Throughout her career, she has guided future teachers and contributed expertise on critical education issues, such as teacher and substitute shortages, the lack of school librarians, the importance of reading for early elementary students, shortages of early childhood educators in Chicago and Illinois childcare centers, and the need for continued support of higher education and career development for K-12 educators. Her work enhances professional development and advocacy in early childhood education.