Covin Payne graduated from Southern Regional Technical College's (SRTC) Social Work program with the goal of becoming the person he needed growing up.
During his childhood, Covin's mom struggled with drugs. He bounced between family members, spent time in counseling, and sat in on meetings most kids never see. As hard as it was, those years showed him something important: how much it matters to have someone in your corner.
"People from all walks of life need help, and I want to help bridge that gap,” he says.
That conviction led him to the Social Work program at SRTC, where his favorite part wasn't a class or a lesson — it was his instructor. "Mrs. Gentry was patient, kind, and I could really see how passionate she is about social work," he says. "She made sure we understood the material and how it applies in real life."
As one of the few men in the program, Covin never saw that as a setback. If anything, it reinforced why he was there. Social work needs more men, he says, “because people connect with those who understand their experiences, and not everyone's experiences look the same.”
Since graduating last semester, Covin has been continuing his education at Columbus State University, with plans to finish his bachelor's degree in social work in early 2027. As a father of five, he says what he learned has made him a better communicator and a more present parent.
His goal is to eventually work in schools, specifically with at-risk middle and high school students. It's personal. "Growing up the way I did showed me how important it is for kids to have someone who listens and believes in them," he says. "If I can be that person for even a few kids, it will mean everything."