Laurie Elish-Piper is Dean of the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. She also holds the titles of Distinguished Teaching Professor and Presidential Engagement Professor in the Department of Literacy Education at Northern Illinois University. For 15 years, she has served as the Director of the Jerry L. Johns Literacy Clinic, and for 8 years, she has served as Co-Director of the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy. Her research and teaching focus on literacy assessment, supporting struggling readers, readers' rights, literacy coaching, and family literacy. She has co-authored eight books, and her articles have appeared in The Reading Teacher, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Literacy Research and Instruction, and Elementary School Journal. Laurie is a member of the International Reading Association Board of Directors (2013-2016), and she served as the president of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers. Prior to her current position, Laurie worked as an elementary teacher, middle school reading/language arts teacher, and educational therapist in a clinical setting.