Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration: Urban Education University of North
Carolina at Charlotte, 2022
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration: School Administration Gardner-Webb
University, 2003
B.S. Elementary Education, Winston-Salem State University, 1998
Teaching and research expertise
Diversity, equity and inclusion in teacher education
Qualitative research
Education of African American students
Culturally relevant and responsive pedological practices
Anti-racism in education
Black girlhood
Equitable Math practices
Diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM education
Pre-service teacher education
Critical media literacy
Deneen S. Dixon-Payne is a research practitioner and assistant professor of elementary education and is deeply driven by her passion for creating a meaningful impact in education. Drawing upon over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, she has collaboratively engaged with K-12 students, administrators and in-service teachers. Recently, she has extended her expertise to post-secondary education, where she concentrates on fostering the growth of pre-service teachers. She emphasizes equipping them with pedagogical strategies that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the classroom. Dr. Dixon-Payne’s unwavering commitment to transformative education renders her an invaluable asset to the field, as her work continuously drives and inspires positive change.
Dr. Dixon-Payne’s research focuses on the intersection of Black girlhood within educational settings, particularly emphasizing STEM/STEAM, gifted learners, critical media literacy and informal learning environments.
Mayes, R.D., Lowery, K.P., Mims, L.C., Rodman, J., and Dixon-Payne, D. (2023). “My Greatness Made a Difference There”: Exploring the High School Experiences of High Achieving Black Girls. Education and Urban Society, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245231195001
Dixon-Payne, D.S. and Anderson. J. (2022). Chapter 9.2: Keepin’ it reel: Black girls film camp. In Anderson, J. L., and Czarnecki, K. (Eds.), Power lines: Connecting with teens in urban communities through media literacy. American Library Association-Neal Schuman.
Anderson, J. and Dixon-Payne, D.S. (2022). Media representation/Misrepresentation: Representation in imagery and language. In De Abreu, B.S. (Ed.), Media Literacy, Equity Justice. Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003175599-8