Indy Standard

The Indiana University School of Education is set to honor Dr. Patricia Payne with the Transformational Alumni Award this fall. Dr. Payne, who serves as the Director of the Office of Racial Equity and Inclusion for Indianapolis Public Schools, is recognized for her lifelong commitment to educational equity and social justice.

The award acknowledges Dr. Payne's leadership and dedication, highlighting her embodiment of excellence, advocacy, and service values. Her national reputation as an advocate stems from her early education at Indiana University during the Civil Rights Movement era.

Dr. Payne credits her IU professors for laying the foundation of her career: “I had some amazing professors who gave me the basics that I needed to go out and educate children.” She holds a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and administrative license from IU's School of Education.

A scholarship in her name exists at Indiana University—the Patricia Payne Scholarship—for teacher candidates of color intending to teach in traditional public schools. Reflecting on her teaching experiences in the 1960s, she stated: “When I graduated from IU and went into a second-grade classroom to teach...I found that the books did not reflect the history I was teaching...I said no. This will not work.”

Dr. Payne was celebrated during IU’s annual Scholarship Celebration and will be honored at the Alumni Leaders Dinner on November 14th.

Since its inception in 2012, the Transformational Leader Award has been one of IU's signature awards recognizing alumni who have made significant contributions as educators in urban settings.

Expressing gratitude for being acknowledged by Indiana University, Dr. Payne continues to advocate for better lives in Indianapolis: “To me, teaching is a divine responsibility...You are shaping the minds, hearts, and souls of children.”