A Grambling State University graduate with deep higher education academic experience and certifications has been chosen as the new principal of Grambling Middle School and Grambling High School.
“We are fortunate that our search led us to someone on our campus who has the types of talents we need,” said Larnell Flannagan, dean of the College of Education. “Dr. Payne has the appropriate public school and higher education experiences we need to advance our 6-12 graders to the level of expectation required for exposing students to challenging knowledge and skills for today’s society.”
“It is a pleasure to continue to serve GSU and I’m especially excited that I’ll work with a talented faculty and staff to educate young men and women, helping them to become creative, smart and productive citizens and students ready for greater challenges,” said Pamela Moye Payne, who earned her Ed.D. in developmental education at Grambling State in 2004, and assumed the role of principal this month. “Our lab schools have a tremendous history and wonderful opportunities for young ones to engage intellectually with professionals of various backgrounds and experiences, including several with Ph.D.s and other academic credentials.”
Payne earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga., and earned her master’s from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. She earned another 30 hours beyond her master’s at McNeese State University and completed her Ed.D. at GSU.
The middle and high schools are two of three laboratory schools on the university’s campus. In addition, there is an elementary lab school. The schools’ focus includes educating students and assisting the university as a part of the College of Education by providing learning and teaching opportunities for undergraduate education majors while also providing opportunities for educational research.
The 15-member faculty and staff serves 85 middle school students and about 150 high school students who live in the Lincoln, Union, Claiborne, Bienville, and Jackson parish communities. The schools work cooperatively with students and their parents and caregivers to provide a well-rounded education.
“Dr. Payne has been a part of our university family for quite some time, and it was wonderful news to hear that she was interested in stepping into this important job at such a critical time,” added Connie Walton, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Grambling President Frank G. Pogue said “as we compete for students with charter, private, public, voucher and other educational options, I’m certain that Dr. Payne will be the magnet we need to attract, and keep students who want incredible experiences as a part of a great education.”
A Mobile, Ala., native, Payne has worked at the university in a variety of positions since 1995. A 1985 graduate of Columbus State University in Georgia, she earned a degree in secondary education in English. She went on to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at Louisiana Tech University in 1992 and completed an additional 30 hours focused on administration and supervision at McNeese State University in 1994.
At Grambling State University, Payne has served as acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and interim vice president for student affairs. She has been on the faculty of curriculum and instruction and English departments.
Payne is married to John Payne, a military science instructor at the university who is a retired U.S. Army first sergeant. She is the mother of two and the grandmother of three. In Ruston, she is the youth director at Zion Traveler Baptist Church and a member of the Ruston Rotary Club. In addition, she is a member of the National Association of University Women, National Council of Teachers of English and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.