Amanda Payne

As part of her Nursing education at COCC, Amanda Payne has helped to impact the very training she’s receiving. Seeing an opportunity for more peer connection and student engagement, Payne, the Nursing Club president, grew and heads a mentorship program that pairs new students with students in their second year. Carmen Ingulli, department chair, was greatly impressed: “It has helped to enhance student success and professional growth.”

That kind of mindset and motivation will serve Payne well in her career — particularly since she envisions being a community college educator. “My hope is to give to future nursing students as my nursing educators have so graciously given to me!”

Regarded as a natural leader and caring student by her faculty, Payne was named to the 2026 All-Oregon Academic Team, one of four students to represent COCC for the statewide honor. She was also named a 2026 Coca-Cola Foundation New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar — representing all of Oregon.

With a long-held curiosity in health medicine and a desire to help others, Payne is excited to be part of a greater purpose. “In a time when it seems a lot of the world is divisive, I think it is an exciting challenge to know that when I'm wearing my scrubs that I get to set aside all the things that tear us apart and just get to care for others, to help heal, to put pieces back together.”

“COCC as a whole seems to be built on a foundation of community, accessibility and affordability which made the decision to enter into the college school system later in life so much more approachable and enjoyable,” she says. “The faculty’s combined knowledge, compassion and overall enthusiasm, and support of student success, has put me in a position where I not only feel ready, but excited to give back to my community as a nurse.”