Shana Payne is a director at Jobs for the Future. In that role, she is working on projects supporting the Pathways to Prosperity Network and strengthening systems to increase students’ access to and attainment of meaningful credentials. Her skills and areas of expertise include:
- Dual enrollment
- Financial aid
- Designing and scaling programs
- Student advisement
- K-12 systems
- College and career readiness supports
Before joining JFF, Shana was director of the Delaware Higher Education Office. There, she led a team that supported the intersection of K-12 and higher education, with a focus on policy and statewide reforms related to financial aid and student advisement.
Previously, Shana worked at College Summit, national college access organization focused on increasing college enrollment for first-generation students.
Shana is an alumna member of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
She was drawn to JFF because of the opportunity to influence policy and reform on the national level to improve postsecondary access and success for young adults. She has a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and bachelor’s degree in American studies and teacher preparation from Yale University.
“I am a single mother through adoption to an amazing, strong-willed, and fiercely independent little boy. As a foster parent, I welcome children into my home regularly to support them and their families,” Shana says. “Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. After two study-abroad trips to South Africa, it is still my favorite place in the world to visit. These days we keep our travel local checking out amusement parks, fairs, and lots of parks!”