EXPERTISE
Educational Leadership
Accreditation
Professional Development
Equity and Pluralism Leader
DEIAB
FACULTY PROFILE
Dr. Joi F. Patterson is a nationally recognized leader in education, institutional strategy, and equity, with over 30 years of experience across P–12 and higher education. She currently serves as the Chief of Institutional Engagement and Excellence at Governors State University (GovState), where she leads transformative initiatives that promote inclusive excellence, student success, and collaborative engagement across the university and broader community.
Dr. Patterson’s career includes executive leadership roles such as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Director of Educator Preparation, Superintendent, and Department Chair. She has taught at every level—ranging from bilingual middle school science classrooms to university graduate seminars—and has developed academic programs that drive equity, innovation, and access.
A passionate advocate for underserved communities, Dr. Patterson co-hosts the national podcast Teaching and Leading with Dr. Amy and Dr. Joi, addressing timely topics in education, leadership, and social impact. She has led multiple successful national accreditation reviews, authored a scholarly study on homeschooling, and secured over $5 million in grant funding to support teacher development, student retention, and institutional growth.
Dr. Patterson holds degrees in STEM and Education from Harvard University, Walden University, DePaul University, Governors State University, and Sam Houston State University. She is certified in bilingual education, science instruction, and online teaching, and her influence spans multiple states and education systems.
Her extensive service includes appointments to the Illinois Human Rights Advisory Board, the State Educator Professional Licensure Board, and the Kappa Delta Pi National Board of Directors. She was honored with the 2024 HEED Award for Higher Education Equity and Diversity and featured in the Illinois State Museum’s GenX Project for her contributions to education and social advancement.
Institutional Engagement and Excellence Webpage