Joyce Grant, an associate professor with the Department of Teacher Education, died on November 7, 2024, at the age of 86. Grant was with the College of Education from 1991 until her retirement in 2007.
Throughout her career, she was a teacher, school founder, principal, deputy superintendent and part of our college community as a teacher educator and faculty member. In addition, she was also a civil rights activist and community organizer.
Grant was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston State College. She later earned her doctorate from Harvard University.
In the 1990s, Grant was recruited by then College of Education Dean Judith Lanier to take part in the Michigan Partnership for New Education (MPNE). This program was an initiative created by MSU and the College of Education to reform education in the state. After about seven years of working with MPNE, Grant joined the Department of Teacher Education as a faculty member. She was actively engaged in the Teacher Preparation Program and professional connections with and support to teachers and schools.
In 2006, Grant co-led a group of 60 faculty and students on a trip to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Summer Project of 2006 provided educational support to those impacted by the hurricane, as most school buildings were inoperable. As a result of this experience, at least two students became teachers in Louisiana.
Another notable experience was engagement with Nigerian schools outside of Lagos, where she provided enhanced teacher training. The work inspired her to help financially support a better learning environment for children.
Grant was a strong advocate for education reform and civil rights. Before working with MSU, Grant worked on civil rights issues in Boston. She helped to organize the Liberation Schools and several parent-run community schools in the Boston area. Minority families created these community schools as a place for their children to receive a meaningful education. Among other roles, Grant was also deputy superintendent of Boston Public Schools.