Virginia Commonwealth University

Grace Payne joined VCU Athletics in the spring of 2021 as Director of Sports Nutrition. Payne oversees nutrition for all athletic teams at VCU. She is responsible for creating individual and team nutrition educations and provides resources through the VCU fuel station and smoothie station for student-athletes to improve their overall wellness.
 
Payne joined the Rams following a one-year sports nutrition fellowship at Illinois, where she provided education, counseling and evaluated the dietary needs of the Illini’s women’s soccer, men’s golf, football, men’s and women’s basketball and softball programs.
 
From 2018-19, Payne served as a sports nutrition intern with the South Dakota State men’s basketball team. She has also volunteered with the Illinois State and Northwestern athletic departments.
 
Payne earned her undergraduate degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from Illinois State in 2018 and completed a Master of Nutrition and Exercise at South Dakota State in 2020. She has passed the RD exam and is an active CPSDA member, as well as a ServSafe Food Production Certified Manager.