Dr. Carol Payne is an Assistant Professor on the Tradition Campus. She is the graduate program and alternate route program coordinator. Dr. Payne attended William Carey University in 1991 as an undergraduate student in Education. Since her graduation from William Carey in 1993, she has acquired three additional degrees, including her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership in 2005.

Dr. Payne has thirty years experience in education, beginning as a teacher assistant in Harrison County. She spent twelve years in the classroom before becoming an assistant principal in the Gulfport School District. She was the principal at Anniston Elementary in the Gulfport School District for nine years until being named Curriculum Director for the Moss Point School District.

Now retired from public education, Dr. Payne concentrates her efforts on supporting new teachers in the education field through the alternate route program at William Carey. She also assists students acquiring advanced degrees by teaching Educational Leadership classes on the Tradition Campus.

Ed. D, Educational Leadership, University of Southern Mississippi, 2005
Specialist degree, Reading, University of Southern Mississippi, 2003
Master degree, Educational Administration, William Carey University, 1996
Bachelor degree, Elementary Education, William Carey University, 1993

Administrator of the Year, Gulfport School District and Gulfport/Biloxi Chamber of Commerce 2011
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 2000