Biography

Dr. James P. Comer is the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine’s Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. He is known nationally and internationally for his creation of the Comer School Development Program in 1968. This program promotes the collaboration of parents, educators and community to improve student development that, in turn, helps them achieve greater academic and overall school success.

Dr. Comer’s pioneering work in school restructuring has been featured in numerous newspaper, magazine and television reports and has been published in many academic journals. He is a co-founder and past president of the Black Psychiatrists of America. He has been a consultant to the Children’s Television Workshop and has devoted his efforts to numerous local and national organizations serving children.

He is the author of ten books, including Maggie’s American Dream and Leave No Child Behind and the recipient of many honors and awards, including forty seven honorary degrees.

In 2014 President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Comer to the President’s Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans.