Valerie L. Patterson

Valerie L. Patterson is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Public Administration Program at Florida International University (FIU), where she teaches courses on human resource policy, administrative ethics, organization theory, and race/gender issues. She holds administrative roles as former Assistant Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs and Associate Director of the School of Policy and Management. Her research focuses on government-community relationships, social equity barriers in communities of color, and the intersection of governance with hip-hop culture and gender dynamics.

Dr. Patterson is affiliated with FIU's African & African Diaspora Studies Program and Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Nationally, she served as past chair of the American Society of Public Administration's Historical, Artistic, and Reflective Expression (SHARE) section and currently sits on its editorial board. She has mentored through the Mandela Washington Fellows program and contributed to initiatives like the St. John Community Development Corporation and Overtown community events.

Her professional engagements include board memberships with the South Florida Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, the Youth Ethics Initiative Advisory Board, and Miami-Dade County Ethics Task Force. Her work has been featured in media discussions on ethics and professionalism, and she has presented at conferences such as the National League of Cities and Florida Association of Black Faculty and Staff.