The Student
Debt Crisis
The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency is a 2025 book by Jamal Watson that examines the history and current state of the student debt crisis in the United States. The book argues that the crisis is a civil rights issue, disproportionately affecting Black and brown students, and features extensive interviews with students, administrators, and policymakers.
Contact
901 F Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202-507-4851
Email: paynecenter@tmcf.org
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Strengthening HBCU Research Capacity
Leveraging Research for Policy and Advocacy
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
