Dr. Maneka Brooks

Maneka Brooks, PhD, is a professor and dean of the College of Education at Portland State University. She is an equity-focused academic leader who believes that Colleges of Education play a crucial role in working alongside communities and individuals toward a more just society. Prior to PSU, Dr. Brooks served as the associate dean of academic affairs and educator preparation at Texas State University (TXST), where her focus included advancing academic initiatives, overseeing undergraduate academic advising, and fostering partnerships with school districts, all while promoting equity and inclusion. 

A distinguished scholar, Dr. Brooks creates equitable learning environments for bilingual adolescents by reimagining traditional educational practices. Her research spans bilingualism, adolescent literacy, language assessment, and course placement, with publications in numerous presigious journals. She has received awards such as the AERA Second Language Research SIG Mid-Career Award and the National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her book, Transforming Literacy Education for Long-Term English Learners: Recognizing Brilliance in the Undervalued, showcases her dedication to improving literacy education.

Dr. Brooks obtained her PhD in Educational Linguistics from Stanford University. Her dissertation, "Beyond 'Limited English Proficiency': Reading, Bilingualism, and LTELS," underscores her focus on equity, bilingualism, and literacy. She also holds a MA in Bilingual Secondary Education and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish, both from Loyola Marymount University.

MBrooksa@pdx.edu