There was nothing that could dampen Imani Payne’s spirit.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore student, who was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college, was so excited to walk across the William P. Hytche Athletic Center stage four years ago to receive her bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology with a concentration in fashion merchandising.
But because of the COVID pandemic, the chance for Payne’s symbolic walk and tassel turn was halted as UMES’ 2020 Winter Commencement was postponed.
“It was heartbreaking,” she said. “We were back on campus and doing everything we were supposed to do – mandatory twice-a-week COVID tests, wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing – and we were approved for the ceremony.
“I was planning to invite my mother and grandfather, my two biggest supporters, but then something happened. It was just a huge letdown.”
Although Payne and her family still celebrated her accomplishment and were later invited to the Spring 2021 commencement to celebrate the achievement, to her, it wasn’t the same.
But now in 2024, Payne will finally have that much-deserved walk today as a master’s degree graduate during the 2024 Winter Commencement. Payne’s degree will be in Cybersecurity Engineering Technology.
For Payne, who had always loved fashion because it allowed her to express herself, the jump into cybersecurity was a journey into fighting notions of impostor syndrome.
“I’ve also had an interest in technology as well, but I didn’t think I was smart enough to do it,” she said. “So, when I applied for the cybersecurity program, I came in feeling that if I’m smart enough to get in the program, I can achieve it.”
While the disciplines of fashion design and cyber security were vastly different, Payne said there were transferable skills that helped her succeed in both programs.
“It’s a lot about communicating with professors and classmates and networking as well as learning how to study and take good notes,” she said.
Payne continued to thrive and succeed in her graduate program and was on pace to walk in the fall of 2023 before tragedy struck. Her father passed away before the start of the spring 2023 semester, which left her devastated.
“I had to take a couple of incompletes and redo some classes to get myself back in alignment because it was a huge mental strain,” she said. “There was a point where I really wanted to give up and even withdraw.”
Payne said her biggest supporters who helped her get back on track and reach the finish line were her supervisor in the Office of Residence Life, Larita Hugee, and Latoya Jenkins, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Experience.
Although Payne is finally fulfilling her goal from four years ago, she is far from done with her schooling. She plans to pursue her doctorate in Organizational Leadership, making her a triple UMES graduate.
Her hope is that with her degree she can get into the nonprofit sector, focusing on several ventures, including those that focus on grief in the black community.
“I’ve noticed, with the loss of my father, that we don’t have the opportunities or organizations that cater to us while we’re grieving,” she said. “You can go to grief counseling, but there’s no one who represents us and who understands what we’re going through.”
Added Payne: “I’m still trying to process this moment because it still doesn’t feel real yet. Even though I applied, got approved, and have my regalia, it feels like I’m dreaming. Maybe once I cross the stage it will truly hit me.”
