Katelyn Payne strives to put her best foot forward in everything she does – literally and figuratively. The business advertising and supply chain management double-major has been an Irish dancer for 14 years, a hobby that has helped her in areas where she doesn’t wear her dance shoes.
Payne says that performing as a dancer requires hours of practice, learning new skills, and displaying confidence when on stage. Being a leader at USF requires the same dedication and habits.
She embodies determination as a resident assistant for the Zimmerman Advertising Program Living-Learning Community, a teaching assistant, and a mentor for business living-learning community students. Payne’s role as a community creator on campus inspired her to add a minor in leadership studies. Payne is set to graduate as a King O’Neal Scholar, which recognizes undergraduate students who earn a degree with a 4.0 final grade point average.
In a competition through Ad Club, Payne was tasked with creating a campaign for
Vote.org targeting GenZ, encouraging students to vote by mail. Her team received a
Judges’ Choice award and an Audience Choice award, recognizing their creative and
strategic approach.
Payne is also a student in the Business Honors Program, where she led a service
project during her first semester at USF. She and her peers worked with families at Mort
Elementary, a local Title I school, where she additionally tutored students in math and
science.
25 Under 25 Program 