Major Hiring Coup by the University of Chicago

In an important hire, the University of Chicago has recruited the distinguished African-American historian Charles Payne, who was formerly at Duke University. Professor Payne, one of the nation’s leading experts on social inequality and urban school reform, was named the Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor in the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. He has served as a professor of history and African and African-American studies at Duke since 1998. Prior to coming to Duke, Professor Payne taught at Northwestern University, Williams College, Haverford College, and Southern University.

Professor Payne is a graduate of Syracuse University and holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He is the author of several books including the award-winning I’ve Got the Light of Freedom: The Organizing Tradition and the Mississippi Freedom Struggle. He is currently completing work on a book entitled So Much Reform, So Little Change.