Title: University Distinguished Professor
Company: Michigan State University
Location: Lansing, Missouri, United States
Patricia A. Edwards, PhD, university distinguished professor at Michigan State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in academia.
With over three decades of experience to her credit, Dr. Edwards has established an esteemed career in academia. Since 2023, she has served as a university distinguished professor at Michigan State University, where she currently teaches a reading class to intern cohorts as part of the university’s rigorous five-year program, which includes a year of hands-on teaching guided by experienced educators. She also leads a master’s-level course, “Liberty for Diverse Learners.” Her tenure at Michigan State includes roles as full professor of language and literacy from 1994 to 2023, associate professor from 1989 to 1994, and senior university outreach fellow.
Dr. Edwards is the author of several influential books and numerous academic papers, including “Teaching with Literacy Programs: Equitable Instruction for All,” “New Ways to Engage Parents: Strategies and Tools for Teachers and Leaders, K-12,” and “Bridging Literacy and Equity: The Essential Guide to Social Equity Teaching.” Other notable works include “Children’s Literacy Development: Making It Happen Through School, Family, and Community Involvement” and “A Path to Follow: Learning to Listen to Parents.” She also dedicates her time as a fellow with the American Educational Research Association since 2024 and through leadership roles such as president of the Literacy Research Association and the National Reading Conference. She has been a board member for the International Reading Association, now International Literacy Association, and an active member of the Michigan State University Institute for Families, Youth, and Children.
Reflecting on her path, Dr. Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Albany State University in 1970, a master’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971, an Education Specialist in reading education from Duke University in 1976, and a PhD in reading education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979. She also takes great pride in becoming the first African American to receive the Oscar S. Causey Award in 2020 from the Literacy Research Association, where she also delivered a keynote address. Additionally, she was named one of The History Makers in 2022, an honor recognizing influential educators alongside figures like Barack Obama. In light of her impressive undertakings, she was also honored with the William S. Gray Citation of Merit from the International Literacy Association in 2024, the Educator Book Award from Delta Kappa Gamma in 2017, and multiple honors from Michigan State University, including the distinguished faculty award in 2001.
Dr. Edwards attributes her success to formative experiences, such as visiting Ghana and visiting the gravesite of W.E.B. Du Bois, whose work deeply resonated with her. Inspired by her grandfather’s school for children of sharecropping families, she began teaching as a child, establishing a Saturday school in her backyard for classmates, also igniting her passion for education. Looking to the future, she plans to continue writing, traveling, and speaking. She is co-authoring a book on reading with Harvard Education Press and has an upcoming keynote address in Kentucky. Additionally, she is dedicated to promoting literacy and equity worldwide, which she will fund as a recipient of the university distinguished professor award, which awards her with a $5,000 stipend annually for three years.
For more information, please visit:
Amazon Author – Patricia A. Edwards
Michigan State University – Patricia A. Edwards
Contact Dr. Edwards:
