Creating the path for first-generation students in California's Central Valley to careers in Artificial Intelligence.
paynepathway.com
Creating the path for first-generation students in California's Central Valley to careers in Artificial Intelligence.
paynepathway.com
To create the path for first-generation students in the Central Valley from underserved communities to the higher education required for a career in Artificial Intelligence.
The Central Valley feeds the nation but has lacked pathways to the tech economy. We believe talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. The Payne Pathway Fund exists to change that.
Students from California's Central Valley, with priority given to Kern County residents.
Students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Students from low-income households and Pell Grant eligible families.
A first-generation college graduate and an AI engineer, building a path for others.
Skylar and Jacqueline were both raised in Bakersfield. Their shared values of family, community, and the belief that education transforms lives brought them together.
With Jacqueline's experience navigating higher education as a first-generation student and Skylar's decade of experience building AI systems at Apple, they understand both the barriers students face and the technical skills employers need. Together, they founded the Payne Pathway Fund to connect Central Valley students to careers in artificial intelligence.
Skylar Payne
Co-Founder, AI Engineer (Bay Area)
Jacqueline Aguilar
Co-Founder, First-Gen Grad