Gillian Gregory currently serves as the Director for Research Administration and K12 Schools at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
In this role, she oversees a broad range of university research-related functions, providing comprehensive support to faculty and researchers from pre-award ideation through grant implementation and closeout reporting. Ms. Gregory also offers technical assistance across the College and serves as a vital connector between FSU Faculty, K-12 schools, school districts, and other educational stakeholders throughout the state, helping bridge research, practice, and implementation. She has also contributed to the awarding of more than $5 million in external funding to Anne's College Office of Research since joining FSU in February 2022.
Ms. Gregory spent over 30 years in K-12 schools and districts, working in a variety of settings, including urban, suburban, small, medium-sized, and large districts. She directly supports FSU laboratory schools located in Leon (Tallahassee), Bay (Panama City), and Broward (Pembroke Pines)- work that builds on her extensive background in K-12 education.
Prior to joining FSU, Ms. Gregory spent most of her career with Leon County Schools, where she served as Principal, Director, Executive/Divisional Director, and, most recently, Assistant Superintendent for Academics. In this role, she oversaw all teaching and learning initiatives for PreK-12 students, including dual enrollment, charter schools, assessment and accountability, professional development for instructional, administrative, and non-instructional staff, and technology and information services.
Throughout her district leadership tenure, Ms. Gregory led several enterprise-wide initiatives, including the successful launch of the district’s 1:1 initiative and the implementation of both a Learning Management System and a Student Information System serving more than 50 schools, 30,000 students, and over 2,000 teachers. She also played a key role in the implementation of new state academic standards, assessment systems, accountability processes, stakeholder engagement efforts, teacher compensation and collective bargaining, and teacher evaluation frameworks.
Ms. Gregory is among a small number of educators in Florida who is considered a “Turnaround Principal” due to student success on state accountability measures. She has led and supported instructional reforms focused on improving literacy outcomes, increasing graduation rates, and expanding acceleration opportunities. Schools under her leadership have consistently exceeded accountability expectations.
In addition to her work in academic achievement, Ms. Gregory has championed career and technical education initiatives that align with workforce needs. She has led the development of acceleration pathways across elementary, middle, and high school levels, ensuring students graduate prepared for postsecondary education, advanced training, or entry into high-wage career fields.
Over her more than 30-year career, Ms. Gregory has served in education policy roles within the Florida Legislature, held instructional and administrative positions in Alachua and Broward counties, and worked with Florida Virtual School. She also founded a district-operated K-12 online school that was recognized as the top-performing FLVS franchise in the state.
Ms. Gregory currently serves on the School Board for The Collegiate School in Bay County and the Advisory Board for the City of Pembroke Pines-FSU Elementary Laboratory Charter School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She is a past School Board member for Florida State University Schools (FSUS) and Education Committee Chair for the Commission on the Social Status of Women and Girls in Leon County, Florida. Ms. Gregory has taught post-secondary courses in literacy and literacy assessment and has supervised teacher interns.
Ms. Gregory has earned an Ed. S. from Florida State University; a master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University; and an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.
From South Florida, Ms. Gregory moved to Tallahassee in 2006. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys mentoring youth, navigating a divided UF/FSU household, and chauffeuring her little people between sports and dance.