Dr. Carlson holds a Ph.D. in Literacy Education, a M.S. in Literacy Education, and a B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Japanese). She teaches both undergraduate and graduate level courses in the field of literacy education. Dr. Carlson is the author of numerous journal articles on educational topics, primarily in the area of literacy. She has spoken at numerous national and international conferences on various literacy topics. Dr. Carlson is the winner of the 2013 A. Roy Myers Excellence in Research Award, the 2013 Kansas Reading Association Research Award, the 2009 Missouri State Council of the International Reading Association Research Award, the 2009 Kansas Reading Association Research Award, as well as other awards recognizing her research.