Joyce’Alyn “Joy” Payne, Rice Business MBA Class of 2026
Age: 28
Hometown: New York City, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Broadcast Journalism | SUNY Plattsburgh (B.S.) International Sport Management | St. John’s University (M.P.S)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Immediately before attending Rice University, I worked for a continuing legal education provider for six years. I was responsible for producing content, fostering genuine relationships with clients, and maintaining the life cycle of online content.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I chose to attend graduate school to increase my business acumen, develop relationships and challenge myself in a professional way.
Why did you choose Rice Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose to attend Rice Business for the contributions I believe it could offer me for growth. As a Houston resident who hopes to own her own business one day, I knew that traditional training from one of the leading schools in entrepreneurship would be beneficial.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I hope to contribute to the Class of 2026 by creating a collaborative and inclusive team environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have been skydiving in Hawaii and would like to do it again!
Post-MBA career interests:
I would like to start my own business while in the program and continue to grow the company post MBA.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Having someone read your essay and then ask, ‘What question do you think I was trying to answer?’ is a useful technique. This approach allowed me to ensure that I was answering the question being asked and that what I was communicating was being received as intended.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have applied sooner to allow myself more time between material deadlines.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wish I could have skipped the waiting period; it was nerve-wracking. What helped me get through it was attending on-campus events, staying connected with the admissions teams, and making sure I was as involved as possible.
What is your initial impression of the Rice Business students/culture/community?
I was initially impressed by the prestige of the program, the friendliness of the staff and the growth mindset perpetuated by the community.
What is one thing you have learned about Rice Business that has surprised you?
One thing that has surprised me about Rice Business is that we are a young program in comparison to our peers.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am anxious about being in the classroom for the first time in more than half a decade.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
During my first year, I am hoping to learn how a firm’s corporate strategy helps them gain a competitive advantage in their industry.
