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Researching Solutions,
Empowering Change.

 

Foster Care to College

Explore the journeys of youth in foster care as they pursue higher education. Discover how child welfare and educational systems shape their opportunities, challenges, and paths to lasting success.

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Advancing America's Research Enterprise

A National Asessment of Research Capacity and Future Readiness at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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Ready To Scale, Poised To Lead

Assessing AI Readiness at Our Nation’s HBCUs

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Research That Powers Excellence & Opportunity

The Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center  applies rigorous scholarship to uncover, validate, and deploy transformative ideas so our nation can rise together. It’s how we change the world, for good. It’s our founding principle. Through collaborations with HBCUs and national leaders, the Payne Center delivers research-driven strategies that strengthen communities and remove barriers to success. Our work transforms data into action, creating sustainable solutions for a more just future.

Core Functions

Our Funders

Since 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has supported the nation’s talent pipeline by providing scholarships, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships from K-12 through higher education to the workforce.

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Ready To Scale, Poised To Lead

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Strengthening HBCU Research Capacity

  • Raises and directs funds to support innovative research projects aligned with the Center’s mission of equity and opportunity.
  • Expands opportunities for faculty and student engagement through mentorship, training, and cross-sector collaboration.

Leveraging Research for Policy and Advocacy

  • Convenes scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to address complex social and economic challenges.
  • Translates research findings into actionable policy recommendations that inform decision-making and drive systemic change.

Ryen Reed

Student Intern

Ryen Reed supports the Payne Center’s research operations while
completing dual degrees in Political Science and Criminology. She
contributes to projects that analyze the intersection of policy,
community vitality, and economic mobility. Her experience
includes conducting research on the impact of public policy on
marginalized communities.

She brings a dedicated focus to her work, supporting the center’s
goal of producing data-driven insights that can inform equitable
and effective policy.

James Tague

Data Analyst

James Tague applies expertise in mixed-methods research and data
analysis to advance the Payne Center’s mission. He is skilled in
transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable intelligence
that informs policy recommendations and strategic initiatives.
His prior research on the role of social media in community
development provides a unique lens for understanding modern
workforce and community dynamics.

He is passionate about leveraging empirical evidence to drive
practical, meaningful outcomes that support institutional growth
and national competitiveness.

Dr. Kathleen “K.” Rzucidlo

HBCU Innovation and Research Manager

Dr. Rzucidlo manages the Payne Center’s initiatives to bolster
research capacity and innovation across the HBCU ecosystem.
Her doctoral research focused on HBCUs and the accreditation
process, providing critical insights into institutional policy and
governance.

She employs a data-informed approach that emphasizes both
quantitative metrics and the qualitative narratives behind the data
to ensure research findings are both impactful and responsibly
disseminated.

Prior to her research career, she served in enrollment management,
where she developed a practical understanding of the institutional
policies that affect student access and success.

Dr. Shauntell Pinckney

Research Consultant

Dr. Shauntell Pinckney brings expertise in higher education policy
and quantitative analysis to the Payne Center’s research on student
success and economic mobility. Her work focuses on evaluating
and developing innovative policy solutions to improve
postsecondary outcomes and strengthen the talent pipeline.

She has collaborated with multiple institutions to design and
implement research that directly informs practice and policy,
contributing to a more robust and competitive national
workforce.

Jolaina Je-Cartier

Senior Research Consultant, STEM Capacity &
Broadening Participation

Jolaina Jeff-Cartier leverages over 25 years of experience in
strategic planning and organizational development to her role as a
liaison between the federal government, HBCUs, and the
scientific community. She focuses on research and activities
designed to significantly broaden participation and expand
research capacity in STEM fields. Her work is instrumental in
building partnerships and developing strategies that enhance
national competitiveness.

Her expertise in mediation and conflict resolution fosters
constructive dialogue among diverse stakeholders, ensuring
research outcomes are pragmatic and actionable.

Dr. Ricco Hill

Research Associate

Dr. Ricco Hill contributes quantitative and qualitative research expertise to the Payne Center’s data-driven projects. With a background in statistics and personality psychology, he employs rigorous methodological approaches to investigate critical questions in education and workforce dynamics. His research has focused on identity development among Black college students in STEM and innovative methods for capturing behavioral data.

Dr. Hill is dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research
that informs policy and practice, ensuring both project excellence and methodological integrity.

Dr. Deanna Hayden

Manager of Research and Program Development

Dr. Deanna Hayden advances the Payne Center’s mission by
managing strategic research initiatives and program development.
Her work leverages expertise in organizational communication
and multimodal media to translate complex research findings into
actionable strategies for stakeholders.

Her research has been featured in the SAGE Video Media,
Communication, and Cultural Studies Collection and the
forthcoming volume Women’s Leadership in Popular Culture
(Rowman & Littlefield).

She has served as a delegate for international convenings on policy
and development in Italy, Ghana, and Brazil and has collaborated
with federal agencies and universities to design and implement
targeted communication campaigns that amplify research impact.

Dr. N. Joyce Payne

Senior Research Consultant, STEM Capacity &
Broadening Participation

Dr. N. Joyce Payne is the visionary founder of the urgood
Marshall College Fund (TMCF), a premier organization
supporting students at publicly-supported HBCUs. Her
pioneering career has been dedicated to advancing research and
policy that strengthens higher education institutions and expands
opportunity.

An authority on labor force participation and educational access,
she has published and presented extensively on these critical
issues. Her foundational work established the framework for the
Payne Center’s mission to produce research that informs national
policy and drives innovation.

Dr. M.C. Brown II

Executive Director and Research Scientist

Dr. M. C. Brown II provides strategic leadership for the Payne
Center’s evidence-based research agenda, which is dedicated to
developing sustainable, data-driven solutions to systemic barriers
impacting workforce development and community vitality. An
internationally recognized scholar with expertise in postsecondary
education policy, governance, and organizational dynamics, he has
secured funding from leading foundations and delivered over 400
keynotes and research presentations across six continents.
His prolific research output includes authoring or editing 20
books and monographs—including the bestselling textbook
Organization and Governance in Higher Education—and over 100
journal articles, book chapters, and policy publications. Prior to
leading the Payne Center, Dr. Brown served as president of Alcorn
State University and Kentucky State University and directed the
Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute at the United Negro
College Fund.

Producing and Disseminating Cutting-Edge Research

  • Conducts high-impact research on critical issues affecting communities and institutions.
  • Supports and publishes scholarship from HBCU faculty, researchers, and students to elevate diverse voices in academia.

Biennial Report

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The American Dividend

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Black Thriving
In America: 2025

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HBCU Research
Seminar

October 2-3

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Money Matters

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