Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden

Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden formerly served as an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. This 1964 graduate of Texas Southern University earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading at Texas Southern University and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies with a program emphasis in Multicultural Education at the University of Houston.

Dr. Gooden, a dedicated, committed teacher and professor with more than 48 years of teaching experience at both the elementary and university levels, retired from Texas Southern University in 2013 after 36 years of service. Before joining the TSU College of Education faculty in 1976, she was an elementary teacher in the Houston Independent School District for twelve years. In addition to her role as a faculty member at TSU, Dr. Gooden has also been a consultant for various school districts in the state of Texas as well as in the nation. Her passion for teaching and learning has been shared with many elementary, middle, and high-school students as she is a sought-after motivational speaker who inspires young people to fulfill their God-given purpose. This dedication to teaching and learning has resulted in Dr. Gooden being the recipient of several prestigious awards. She was recognized as a “Hero in Education” by the Xi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Ivy League Educational and Charities Foundation.

She was also the recipient of the National Alliance of Black School Educators’ W.E.B. Dubois Higher Education Award, and she has been inducted into the Texas Southern University College of Education Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was recognized as a 2019 Civic Award Honoree by the Cornerstone Community of Faith Church in Houston, Texas, and as a Living Legend by the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators at its 2021 state conference. Dr. Gooden was also selected as the Commencement Speaker for the Texas Southern University 2019 Winter Commencement and as the Commencement Speaker for the Texas Southern University College of Education 2020 Winter Commencement.

Dr. Gooden is a member of many professional organizations, including the National Association for Multicultural Education (where she is a founding member, a past National President and a current member of the NAME Board of Directors), the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education where she is a past State President, and the National Alliance of Black School Educators where she also served on the National Board of Directors. 

She is active in several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. 

Dr. Gooden is the owner of Gooden & Associates Educational Consultant.  She is a member of The Fort Bend Church and the mother of two children.  Dr. Gooden’s philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially so that they can meet their full potential.    

Dr. Cherry Ross Gooden

Retired Associate Professor

Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education

Texas Southern University

3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, Texas 77004

(713) 313-7011

www.tsu.edu