Jameson Payne was just 12 years old when he took his first college class—a biochemistry course the summer before he entered seventh grade. 

“The average age in that class had to be 35 or 40,” Payne said. 

Many of his classmates were veterans of the military studying for a nursing degree. When Payne raised his hand for attendance, the professor stopped short. 

“The professor was like, ‘You’re funny. Is your mom or dad sitting in the class?’” Payne said. “He really did not believe me.”

The professor then put a problem up on the board and glanced at Payne. 

“It  was a super easy problem, nothing special,” Payne said. “So I got up and I answered it. He was dumbfounded, like, ‘What the heck am I witnessing?’”

When Payne started his first semester as a Van Andel School of Statesmanship student this January, he had not yet turned 20 years old. Though the age of a college sophomore, Payne has earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and political science from Kent State University, traveled Europe with his cousin, and done research for the Heritage Foundation.  

An Ohio native, Payne took advantage of his state’s College Credit Plus, a program that allows students to earn high school and college credits at the same time. Payne’s biochemistry course was his first class in the program. 

“I started part time and then in what would have been my ninth grade year of high school, I just went full time,” Payne said. “I never took any high school classes.”

Though Payne began college wanting to be a chemist, he became interested in constitutional law and changed his career plans. Payne interned at New Civil Liberties Alliance, a law firm in Washington D.C. after graduating Kent State in 2022. 

“That was kind of my jumping-in point into the world of conservative public policy and litigation,” Payne said. 

From his boss, Payne learned about an opening at the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies. There, he worked as a research assistant for eight months.

“I’m glad that they really gave me the opportunity to do some substantive work,” Payne said.

After his time at the Heritage Foundation, Payne began work on a scholarly law review concerning the 14th Amendment, racial classifications, and affirmative action through the George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal.  

When Payne’s cousin came to visit him in D.C., the two decided to travel to Europe. 

“We were thinking, ‘He’s about to be in the National Guard, I’m about to be off to law school or somewhere or other. This is really the last time we can do something,’” Payne said. “It was a very fly by the seat of our pants thing.”

The summer of 2023, the two traveled through the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany. 

“I came back and I was putting serious thought into what I wanted to do next,” Payne said. 

Payne decided a masters in statesmanship from Hillsdale would best equip him for law school.

“You need a strong backing in political theory and American history because constitutional law is not like traditional law,” Payne said. “It is very first principles based and so this kind of thing is perfect.”

Payne said he found Hillsdale a welcoming place with a strong community and approachable faculty. He decided to live on campus in Galloway Residence. 

Freshman Paul Bwamiki, Payne’s roommate, first met Payne through the dean of men over Christmas break. 

“Jameson loves God, he is a focused and determined man, he is a problem solver,” Bwamiki said. “Jameson is a man I love. He is more than my roommate, he is a brother to me.”

Mark Kremer, associate professor of politics, teaches Payne in his politics and Shakespeare course. 

“He’s insightful,” Kremer said. “He definitely feels with the texts, and he can psychologize with the characters.”

Payne credits much of his success to his family — his grandmother, who drove him to college classes before he had a driver’s license, and his parents, who supported and encouraged his interests.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for their help and their love,” Payne said.