Cathy Gorn, PhD
Dr. Cathy Gorn is the executive director of National History Day. Dr. Gorn received her B.A. in English from Kent State University in 1982, and her Ph.D. in history from Case Western Reserve University 1992. She has made numerous presentations on history education at forums for historians and teachers, including the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Historical Association, and the Organization of American Historians. Her publications on teaching history to young people have appeared in several professional journals. In addition, Dr. Gorn has contributed to and served as editor for more than 40 curriculum guides and projects for National History Day.
Dr. Gorn has directed nearly three dozen national institutes for teachers of history and social studies, including institutes on: “Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom,” and “Global and Multi-Cultural Perspectives on the Columbian Voyage and Its Legacies.” Dr. Gorn currently serves on the White House Historical Association Board of Directors and the National Capital Radio & Television Museum Board of Trustees. She served two terms on the Education Advisory Committee for the First Freedom Center, the Education Committee of the American Bar Association and the Presidential Advisors for the National World War II Museum. In 2011, National History Day received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama.