Donna Y. Ford of Vanderbilt University Recognized for Her Diversity Efforts in Gifted Education

Donna Y. Ford, a professor of education and human development at Vanderbilt University, received the Asa G. Hillard Model of Excellence Award from The College Board. Dr. Ford was recognized for her “unwavering commitment to the desegregation of gifted education and for mentoring African American students, higher education faculty, and P-12 professionals.”

Dr. Ford teaches in the department of special education and holds a joint appointment in the department of teaching and learning at Vanderbilt. She holds the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair at the university’s Peabody College of education and human development. She is the author of several books including Recruiting and Retaining Culturally Different Students in Gifted Education (Prufrock Press, 2013).

Camilla P. Benbow, the Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt, stated that “Donna Ford has dedicated her 30-year academic career to scholarship and research on racial disparities in gifted education. Thanks to her advocacy, talented African Americans and other diverse students are closer to obtaining educational equity. Although much work remains to be done, it is good to see her efforts honored.”

Professor Ford hold bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, all from Cleveland State University.