Biography
Dr. Maggie Luma is the chief of staff for Marshall University’s June Harless Center, a P-12 professional learning organization in the College of Education and Professional Development. Dr. Luma has held this position since 2021, working closely with the educators on her staff who specialize in literacy, early childhood education, and STEAM programs. Prior to this role, she was the Literacy Coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education working with the Office of Special Education and the Office of Early and Elementary Learning.
She is an adjunct professor in the Literacy Education graduate program at Marshall University and is a former classroom teacher. As Co-Director of the Central West Virginia Writing Project, she directs the annual West Virginia Young Writers Contest, a longstanding statewide creative writing contest and celebration for students in grades 1-12. Dr. Luma serves as Co-PI on several active grants, including a National Library of Medicine subaward to study the effects of app-based motivation for early reading.
Dr. Luma has particular interests in leadership studies and writing instruction. She has presented locally and nationally on topics related to early literacy and writing. Her dissertation, “Teacher Use and Perceptions of Writing Practices in West Virginia: Policy and Leadership Implications” serves as the foundation for continued research and discourse around these topics.