Rate My Professor Elizabeth Dooley

Dr. Elizabeth Dooley is a professor of exceptional student education in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Central Florida's College of Community Innovation and Education, where she also serves as the academic program director for the Ph.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Development Track. She earned her Ed.D. in special education teacher education from West Virginia University, an M.A. in special education from West Virginia University, and a B.A. in education from Alderson Broaddus University. Dooley's distinguished career includes serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at UCF from 2018 to 2020, becoming the first woman and first African American in that role. Prior to that, she was Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies at UCF from 2015 to 2018. At West Virginia University, she progressed from assistant professor to professor in departments of special education, curriculum, and instruction; chaired departments of teacher education; served as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance, and Founding Dean of WVU University College; and co-founded the Health Sciences Technology Academy.

Dooley's research focuses on academic achievement, equity-mindedness, student success, exceptional student education, special education teacher education, and educational leadership. Key publications include the chapter 'Cooperative learning for students with special needs' (2010) in the International Encyclopedia of Education; 'Legal foundations of special education for African American learners' (2002); and articles such as 'Engaging undergraduate students for success: A digital solution for robust academic planning' (2021) in EDUCAUSE Review and 'Increasing the number of ethnically diverse faculty in special education' (2003) in Teacher Education and Special Education. She has received awards including the Florida Women on the Move Award (2019), induction into the West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services Hall of Fame (2018), and West Virginia Human Rights Commission Honoree (2015). Dooley has secured over $3 million in grants for student success and serves as principal investigator for a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Education-funded Project Next-Gen SET to prepare special education teachers.