People
Director of Trotter Institute
Dr. Denise Patmon
Dr. Denise Patmon, a product of a family deeply rooted in the struggle for equality, equity, and civil rights, is a distinguished educator, scholar, and leader who has made profound contributions to the field of education, teaching writing, and the advancement of Black history and culture. As the Director of the William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture, Dr. Patmon brings thirty years of academic expertise and a deep commitment to justice. Since joining the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1995, she has focused on creating inclusive educational spaces and advancing the teaching and learning of Black history, culture, and societal contributions. She has held a variety of roles at the University of Massachusetts such as: Department Chair, Director of the Office for Faculty Development, Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching, Graduate Program Director, and co-facilitator of the Junior Faculty Research Seminar.
In her role as Director, Dr. Patmon has been instrumental in revitalizing the Trotter Institute’s mission to engage with the local, national and global community, creating transformative research and programming that highlights the resilience, richness, and depth of Black history. Her leadership, marked by innovation and dedication, has expanded the Institute’s outreach through partnerships, community collaborations, and academic initiatives that promote the study of African American and African Diaspora histories, cultures, and social justice movements.
A blend of academic rigor and activism characterizes Dr. Patmon’s leadership. She has focused intensely on anti-racist educational practices and integrating Black history into teacher training, teaching writing, identity development, thus shaping future educators who can effectively navigate urban, multicultural classrooms. Her work, marked by academic excellence, global awareness, and a passion for social improvement, emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical contributions of Black Bostonians. Her leadership at the Trotter Institute has directly influenced the development of educational programs, workshops, and research projects that center on Black experiences and scholarship.
As a scholar, Dr. Patmon has authored numerous articles and book chapters, contributing significantly to the academic landscape of Black education. Her research focuses on the preparation of K-12 teachers for urban public school settings in contemporary United States. She has worked extensively on developing curriculum, teachers as researchers, and teachers as writers/writers as teachers, both nationally and internationally. She is a contributing author to Jim Gray’s seminal text, Teachers at the Center. One of her most enduring publications is entitled, “Pedagogy for the Professoriate: The Personal Meetings the Political” in the edited text Transforming Classroom Culture: Inclusive Pedagogical Practices, by Dallalfar, Kingston-Mann, and Sieber. She was the recipient of the James Bradford Ames Research Scholar Award and has been recognized for her pedagogy receiving several Teacher of the Year awards from various institutions. Pedagogy is her fervor.
Beyond academia, Dr. Patmon is a celebrated author, having written two books for children, and she is an accomplished musician. She is a pianist, violist, and plays the Japanese koto. She has served on the Board of Directors for several institutions and corporations, locally and internationally. She brings her creative and intellectual talents to all aspects of her work, enriching the cultural and educational programming at the Trotter Institute. Dr. Patmon’s leadership at the Trotter Institute is rooted in her passion for social justice, educational equity, and opportunities for all to achieve. Her work continues to inspire and anchor the future of the William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture at the University of Massachusetts Boston.