Who We Are

The Center for Reading Science team consists of a director, an assistant director, and a team of professionals with deep knowledge of the science of reading and experience implementing evidence-based practices in schools.

513-244-4934

amy.murdoch@msj.edu

Contact Information

Director:
Amy Murdoch

Dr. Murdoch is the Assistant Dean of the Reading Science Program, Graduate Education Chair in the School of Education, and an Associate Professor at Mount St. Joseph University. Under Dr. Murdoch’s leadership, the Reading Science graduate program became one of the first programs in the nation to receive accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association. Dr. Murdoch holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology with a focus on Early Literacy. Prior to joining Mount St. Joseph’s faculty, she worked as a reading consultant at the Special Education Regional Resource Center providing training and consultation to school districts around MTSS, reading instruction, assessment, and supporting children with disabilities. Dr. Murdoch also worked in Cincinnati Public Schools as the director of a number of large reading grants, including the Reading First grant. Her research and service work has focused on helping schools and families implement research-based practices in reading instruction, intervention, family involvement, and assessment. Her current research work includes projects focusing on the early identification and support of children with Dyslexia (an OSEP Model Demonstration project), bringing the science of reading to higher education, and Project Ready, a project devoted to the creation of a free comprehensive early learning program that successfully closes the opportunity gap.

Assistant Director: Larissa Phillips

Dr. Phillips is the Assistant Director and an Assistant Professor in the Reading Science Graduate program. Larissa graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Mount St. Joseph in 2004, and then again with her Master’s Degree and Reading Endorsement in Reading Science in 2012, and finally with her doctorate degree in 2025. She has served on the Project Ready Advisory Committee as well as the School of Education Advisory Committee since 2015. Larissa has taught a variety of courses in the school of education as an adjunct and also supports other instructors with coursework as a practicum supervisor. Prior to joining the Center for Reading Science team, Larissa has worked in public education in the K-12 setting for 20 years. She has worked in the preschool and school age settings as an Intervention Specialist, co-teacher, and Reading Specialist. Larissa is Orton-Gillingham trained and enjoys sharing teaching tips and tricks with colleagues as they adapt the instructional approach for small group settings. Larissa is passionate about working alongside general educators and administration to implement systems change with MTSS, designing high quality tier 1 instruction for the classroom, and collaborating with staff on new instructional resources and tools. Larissa enjoys problem solving with teams to use assessment data efficiently and closing the achievement gap for all students.