Scholar, teacher educator, and public-facing expert

Dr. Sam von Gillern is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Missouri; approved for promotion to Associate Professor, effective September 1, 2026. He works in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum and is also an Honors Affiliate Faculty Member in the Honors College.

His research focuses on artificial intelligence and literacy education, digital literacies, media literacy, digital citizenship, game-based learning, video game literacies, and teacher education. Across these areas, he examines how educators and students make meaning, evaluate information, create texts, and participate in complex digital environments.

Sam's interdisciplinary path includes a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Literacy Education, a master's degree in Education, and an undergraduate background in marketing and psychology. His CV reflects work across literacy research, teacher education, digital technologies, and professional learning.

Before joining the University of Missouri, Sam was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Literacy at Texas A&M University, where he also directed the University Reading Clinic. His teaching and mentoring experience includes undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, online, honors, reading clinic, and PK-12 learning contexts.