Cynthia L. Wilson

Cynthia L. Wilson, Ph.D. is currently a Professor of Exceptional Student Education at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on the Davie campus. She received her doctorate in special education with a cognate in higher education administration from Florida State University. Her research and instructional focus emphasizes the preparation of educators to implement research-based, effective practices to improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities and students at-risk for academic failure. In her tenure at FAU, Dr. Wilson has been the Department Chair, the Director of the Genesis Teacher Education Project, taught 22 different courses, authored more than 30 publications, and presented more than 40 papers at conferences. Dr. Wilson has also been the recipient of the FAU Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, College of Education Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching, and Research Faculty Incentive Program Award.

Prior to coming to FAU, Dr. Wilson spent five years as a classroom teacher of students with disabilities and worked for two years as a program specialist for teacher training grants in the Bureau of Education for Exceptional Students in the Florida Department of Education. Dr. Wilson has also served on the faculty of the University of Miami and has been a consultant with local school districts providing professional development for in-service teachers and school administrators. She has significant experience in grantsmanship and has been principal investigator of several research and training grants that have emphasized the preparation of teachers and educational leaders in special education.