Faculty Members

Dr. Michael Matthews

    • Former secondary science teacher
    • Co-editor of Gifted Child Quarterly
    • Chair of the Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent special interest group of the American Educational Research Association.
    • Dr. Matthews’ scholarship addresses education policy, science learning, motivation and underachievement, parenting, and related issues in gifted education
    • He is author or editor of five books, around 35 articles, and over a dozen book chapters.
    • Dr. Matthews’ work has been recognized with the Early Scholar Award (NAGC), the Legacy Book Award (Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented), and the Pyryt Collaboration Award (AERA).


    Dr. Cindy Gilson

    • Former elementary education teacher in CT and NY for 12 years.
    • Received her Ph.D. in educational psychology with an emphasis on gifted education and talent development at the University of Connecticut.
    • As a graduate student, helped establish a Renzulli Academy for gifted students in an urban area.
    • Conducted over 45 presentations and workshops at international, national, state, and local levels
    • Dr. Gilson’s work has been recognized with the NAGC Doctoral Student Award, NAGC Research and Evaluation Network Research Gala Student Award, and ILA Top Convention Paper
    • Her current research interests include classroom discourse, teachers’ listening orientations, differentiated curriculum and instruction for gifted students, and specialized STEM schools.
    • Member of the NC AIG IHE Consortium, NAGC, NCAGT, International Listening Association, and AERA