Bio

Alivia "Liv" Payne is the Media Content Specialist for Penn State Schuylkill Athletics, where she combines creativity, storytelling, and a passion for sports to showcase the student-athlete experience. What began as a required internship during her senior year quickly became something much more.

"It started as a mandatory internship and I never left, LOL. I found my passion and ran with it."

Now entering her fourth year with Penn State Schuylkill Athletics and her second year as Media Content Specialist, Liv has turned that opportunity into a career dedicated to celebrating the people and moments that make Schuylkill special.

A Penn State Schuylkill graduate, Liv earned her Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications with a minor in Business and a certificate in Sports Administration. She is currently pursuing her Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications through Penn State. Before arriving at Schuylkill, she attended Penn State Mont Alto and also took dual enrollment classes through Penn State York while attending Northeastern High School in York, Pennsylvania.

Liv's connection to Schuylkill extends beyond the office. She spent one year playing softball at Penn State Mont Alto before finishing her collegiate career as a student-athlete at Penn State Schuylkill. Those experiences continue to shape the way she approaches her work today.

"I fell in love with the people, the job, and everything about it. I have found a passion here at Penn State Schuylkill, and this is my family."

As the department's creative lead, Liv manages the athletics social media accounts, produces video content, designs graphics, photographs events, oversees media days, assists with game-day operations, and directs livestream productions. Every day brings something different—and that's exactly how she likes it.

When asked to describe her responsibilities, she simply calls it:

"The fun stuff."

A lifelong athlete herself, Liv played softball for 14 years before transitioning behind the camera.

"Fun fact, I'm a lefty, but I bat right. I fell in love with sports because of my dad. Growing up watching football has become such a big part of my life. WE ARE!!! And GO BIRDS!!!"

One of Liv's favorite memories at Penn State Schuylkill came during a men's basketball game when she watched one of her creations come to life.

"Watching the first hype video I made for men's basketball on the wall before a game. Just the chills I got. It felt like I had made something that makes other people feel so loved and special."

She hopes to continue raising the standard for Penn State Schuylkill Athletics while finding new ways to tell the stories of its student-athletes.

"Be better. The sky's the limit. I want to do big things."

Liv encourages student-athletes to share their ideas and get involved with creating content.

"You want to do TikToks? Start a new series? Try something crazy you saw on Pinterest? Please come find me, text me, anything. Even if it isn't media related, I can send you to the right place or help you figure out a situation. I was a student-athlete here just like you. I get it."

She also credits the people she works alongside every day for making the department successful.

"Our staff in athletics is like Jenga. You pull a piece and it will all fall. I love working with Kayla, Owen, and Sam every day, and this place would not thrive without each one of them."

Her message to every student-athlete is simple.

"Help us help you. We as an athletic staff want the best for you. Please talk with us so we can get to know you and cater to your needs."

Whether she's creating a hype video, photographing a championship moment, or brainstorming the next social media trend, Liv approaches every project with the same mindset.

"I love crazy, so let's try crazy. D1 mentality on the field and on the socials."