Joanne Nurss is Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology at Georgia State University in Atlanta and is the former director of the Center for the Study of Adult Literacy. Joanne founded the Department of Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University and served as the Chairperson of the department for eight years. She served as the Associate Dean for Academic Programs for the Georgia State University College of Education and as a Professor of Early Childhood Education.

Joanne has done extensive research in the fields of children’s literacy development, second language learning, and adult literacy and has published numerous articles related to these areas. She is author of the Metropolitan Readiness Test published by Psychological Corporation.

Although Joanne has retired from teaching and directing the Adult Literacy Center at Georgia State, her dedication and interest in literacy continues as she tutors and works with homeless and refugee families. She is also a regular volunteer at the Carter Center in Atlanta.