The Morgridge Chair is the only endowed chair in teacher preparation in the United States and the first endowed professorship at NIU. This chair enables NIU to recognize and support an individual of the highest professional stature and abilities. During the past few years, the focus of this chair has been on establishing, building, and enhancing the partnerships in the college.
Dr. Sharon Smaldino was named the Morgridge Endowed Chair in Teacher Education in 2003. She came to NIU from the University of Northern Iowa where she was a faculty member in educational technology and associate dean of the College of Education. Dr. Smaldino also directs the School-University Partnerships.