Support the Bro. Dr. Rod Paige Fellowship

The Bro. Dr. Rod Paige Fellowship was established in tribute the incredible contributions of Dr. Rod Paige to the field of education. Throughout his career, Dr. Paige dedicated himself to improving the quality of education for all students, particularly those from underserved communities.

By donating to the Dr. Rod Paige Fellowship, you are making a direct investment in the future of education. The fund will provide scholarships to Black male students attending accredited colleges or universities who are majoring in Education and/or Health Education. The fellowship will also cover the registration costs for discipline-related conferences.

Your contribution helps aspiring educators, administrators, and policymakers receive the training and resources they need to bring innovation, equity, and excellence into schools across the country. These fellows will be committed to continuing Dr. Paige’s legacy of closing achievement gaps, promoting accountability, and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to a high-quality education.

Rod Paige, born June 17, 1933, in Monticello, Mississippi, is a renowned educator and public servant best known for his tenure as the 7th United States Secretary of Education under President George W. Bush. His career spans decades, marked by a commitment to improving public education, promoting school accountability, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Early Life and Education

Rod Paige was born into a family of educators, with both of his parents working as teachers. His early exposure to education instilled in him a deep appreciation for learning and a desire to make a difference in the lives of students. Paige attended Jackson State University, a historically Black university, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He went on to obtain a master’s degree from Indiana University and later earned his doctorate in physical education from the same institution. His academic background, particularly in physical education, would later complement his holistic approach to school reform, emphasizing both academic and extracurricular success.

Career as an Educator and Superintendent

Before entering the national political scene, Dr. Paige built a long career in education, starting as a teacher and coach. He served as a college football coach and athletic director at Texas Southern University, where he worked to emphasize both sports and academics among student-athletes.

Paige’s leadership in education was perhaps most profoundly felt during his time as the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States. Appointed to the role in 1994, Paige was instrumental in implementing reforms aimed at boosting student performance, increasing accountability, and closing the achievement gap. His initiatives were guided by the belief that all students, regardless of their background, should have access to high-quality education. Under Paige’s leadership, HISD gained national recognition for its improvements in student performance and its pioneering use of data to track school success, a precursor to the later national emphasis on data-driven education policies.

Secretary of Education

In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Rod Paige to serve as the Secretary of Education, making him the first African American to hold this position. As Secretary, Paige played a critical role in shaping and implementing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), a landmark education reform policy signed into law in 2002. The act aimed to increase school accountability through standardized testing, with the goal of ensuring that every child in America had access to quality education and that no student was left behind in terms of academic achievement.

Paige’s tenure was marked by both praise and controversy. Supporters applauded his focus on closing achievement gaps, particularly for minority and low-income students. Critics, however, questioned the heavy reliance on standardized testing and the punitive measures tied to NCLB. Despite the debates surrounding the law, Paige’s influence on U.S. education policy remains significant, as NCLB set the foundation for future discussions on education reform.

Legacy and Later Years

After stepping down from his role as Secretary of Education in 2005, Dr. Paige continued to be an influential voice in education. He served as the interim president of his alma mater, Jackson State University, and worked as a public speaker and consultant, advocating for policies that promote school choice, accountability, and educational equity. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.,

Dr. Rod Paige’s legacy in education is one of transformation, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving the quality of education for all students. Through his leadership in Houston and at the national level, he helped shape policies that continue to impact public education today. His career exemplifies the power of dedicated public service in driving meaningful change in one of society’s most critical institutions—its schools.