About Us

Over a period spanning nearly 70 years, the McGinnis Reading Center and Clinic at Western Michigan University has provided numerous clinical, research and diagnostic services to a diverse population of children, university students and adults in our local and surrounding communities. Throughout its history, the clinic has continued to provide on-going functions while expanding services in literacy.

Our history: 

• Homer J. Carter, an innovator in reading research and diagnosis, founded the Psycho-Educational Clinic in 1932 on the campus of Western Michigan University to provide clinical services.
• Dorothy J. McGinnis succeeded Homer Carter as director in 1964, further expanding clinic services to the community as well as continuing to contribute to the development of reading theory and practice.
• In 1970, the name was changed to the Reading Center and Clinic to better reflect an emphasis on diagnostic testing and support services.
• In 1977, Dorothy E. Smith accepted the director position, followed by the appointment of Joe Chapel in 1988.
• In 1996, the clinic was dedicated to Dr. McGinnis and renamed in honor of her numerous contributions to the field.

In more recent years, the clinic has served as a practicum experience for undergraduate and graduate students in diagnostic assessment and instruction. The goal is to continue to expand services and broaden community outreach efforts.