Leadership in the College of Education
Dr. Gerrelyn Chunn Patterson, the chair of the Department of Educator Preparation at North Carolina A&T State University, has dedicated her career to transforming teacher education through service learning and diversity studies.
Patterson, who leads the largest department in the university's College of Education, oversees both academic direction and day-to-day operations while maintaining a research focus on educational equity.
Academic Background and Scholarly Credentials
With more than 20 years in educational leadership, Patterson has conducted intense research on North Carolina school desegregation and how service learning prepares teachers to work with diverse student populations. One of her most known projects was the Spencer Grant Project. Her role was to conduct interviews with historical figures who had experience with school desegregation in the south. Followed by helping the Education program receive a $1.1 million grant to provide new resources for the College.
Her research also examines how Historically Black Colleges and Universities have successfully incorporated service learning into their curricula.
Patterson earned her bachelor's degree in English from North Carolina Central University, followed by a master's in English Education from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Beyond her academic role, Patterson serves on the advisory board for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. She has received recognition for her significant contributions to teacher education across North Carolina.
Balancing Family and Service
The literacy scholar balances her professional commitments with active membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and her family life. Patterson has been married for nearly 30 years and has three children.
She can be found on X at @gerrelynphd.