July 10, 2025

NATCHITOCHES – The International Literacy Association (ILA) has named Northwestern State University Education Professor Dr.Michelle Fazio Brunson winner of this year’s Maryann Manning Special Service Award presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment of exceptional and distinguished service to the field of literacy and to ILA.

The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a professional organization with a mission of connecting research and practice to continuously improve the quality of literacy instruction across the globe.  ILA recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions of individuals and chapters in our network who are committed to our shared that mission.

Brunson is director of graduate programs in Early Childhood Education at NSU. She has for several years spearheaded the Cradle to College service learning project that began as an intervention initiative aimed at remapping the “cradle to prison” pipeline.  Data show that youngsters who fall behind in school in third grade become more likely to be incarcerated later in life.  By providing early literacy resources and familial support to local children, she hopes to redirect the pipeline.

The project has been an important component of the NSU student experience. Students and faculty in the School of Education collect, organize and distribute the literacy bags at no charge to recipients.  Brunson has actively sought donations, external grants and funding to support the purchase of supplies and materials used for literacy bags presented to youngsters and their families at no cost.  She has enlisted the help of registered student organizations, Greeks and community groups to join the initiative and has presented about the Cradle to College initiative to various professional organizations, including the International Literacy Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators.

Brunson recently published a book chapter about her service learning project with the Southern Early Childhood Association, and she has received multiple service awards from the Southern Early Childhood Association and Northwestern State University.

For information on the Cradle to College initiative, contact Brunson at faziom@nsula.edu.