Faculty Profile for Dr. Eric J Paulson

profile photo for Dr. Eric J Paulson
Dr. Eric J Paulson
Professor — College of Education
Professor — Curriculum And Instruction
ED 2131
phone: (512) 408-1159
Scholarly/Creative Work
Awards
Grants
Service

Biography Section

Biography and Education

 Eric J. Paulson is the Associate Dean for Research and Sponsored Programs and a Professor in the College of Education at Texas State University. Dr. Paulson earned his PhD from the University of Arizona and his MS from Florida State University.

Teaching Interests

 Dr. Paulson has taught in a variety of institutions in the United States and abroad, including community organizations, language institutes, community colleges, and research universities. The focus of his faculty position at Texas State University is the preparation of doctoral students as research scholars in the Graduate Program in Postsecondary Student Success.

Research Interests

 Dr. Paulson’s research interests center on literacies in postsecondary educational domains and attempts to answer in some way the question: How does reading “work”? He has used qualitative and quantitative methods and research approaches that include eye tracking, Eye Movement Miscue Analysis, metaphor analysis, survey research, interview research, and other. He has published three authored or edited books and numerous articles in journals like Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Developmental Education, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Research in the Teaching of English, Journal of College Reading & Learning, the International Journal of Qualitative Methods, and others. He has received $1.8 million in external funding as both PI and Co-PI while at Texas State University.

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Acee, T. W., Hodges, R. B., Paulson, E. J., Vontsteen, J. E., Lorenzi Pinto, G., Wischnewsky, L. A., … Fathi, Z. (n.d.). Fostering strategic learning in community college: A multi-institution study of learning-to-learn syllabi.
  • Paulson, E. J., Holschuh, J. P., & Lampi, J. P. (2024). Using College Readers’ Eye-Movements to Discuss Textbook Reading Strategies. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 67, 274–282. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1002/jaal.1332
  • Sarker, A. L., & Paulson, E. J. (2023). Texas Community College Students’ Perceptions of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in a Learning Community at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 53(3), 211–231.
  • Paulson, E. J., & Van Overschelde, J. P. (2021). Accelerated integrated reading and writing: A statewide natural experiment. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 45(1), 13–30. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2019.1636733
  • Paulson, E. J., Sarker, A. L., Reynolds, J. S., & Cotman, A. M. (2021). Instructors’ voices: Experiences with state-mandated accelerated integrated developmental reading and writing coursework in Texas community colleges. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 51(2), 110–130. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10790195.2020.1867668

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. 2018
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Inducted as a Fellow into the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA), Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA). 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Karin G. Smith Special Recognition Award, College Reading and Learning Association. 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Michael Wilkerson Service Award for Outstanding Dedication and Contributions to the LGBTQIA Community, Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion. 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. 2012

Selected Grants

  • Golato, Andrea (Principal), Paulson, Eric J (Co-Principal), Giuffre, Patti (Co-Principal). Master's Career Pathways Exit Survey Project, Council of Graduate Schools (subaward, NSF Award #2100343), Federal, $25000. (Funded: 2022 - 2024). Grant.
  • Acee, Taylor W (Principal), Hodges, Russell B (Co-Principal), Paulson, Eric J (Co-Principal), Van Overschelde, James P (Co-Principal). Investigating the effectiveness of learning frameworks courses at supporting student success in Texas Public Community Colleges, Greater Texas Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $315837. (Funded: 2021 - 2024). Grant.
  • Paulson, Eric J (Principal), Holschuh, Jodi P (Co-Principal). Postsecondary Educator Micro-Credentials: Best Practices for Teaching and Learning, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, State, $400000. (Funded: August 2021 - August 2023). Grant.
  • Paulson, Eric J (Principal), Van Overschelde, James P (Co-Principal), Wiggins, Afi (Co-Principal). Sealing the Pipeline Leak: The Impact of Developmental Integrated Reading & Writing (IRW) Instruction on Education Outcomes for Students Enrolled in Texas Community Colleges, Greater Texas Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $156790.92. (Submitted: 2016, Funded: January 2017 - June 2018). Grant.
  • Paulson, Eric J (Principal), Mireles, Selina Vasquez (Co-Principal), Acee, Taylor (Co-Principal). Evaluation of the Adult Basic Education-Innovation Program., Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board., $299895. (Funded: 2011 - 2013). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Literacy Research
2025-Present
Chair
COERO Advisory Committee
2024-Present
Member
Council of Associate Deans of Research
2024-Present
Member
Postsecondary Student Success Graduate Program Curriculum Committee
2021-Present
Member
Postsecondary Student Success Graduate Program Research Committee
2020-Present