At just 16 years old, Bailee Ehlers took an unconventional leap, starting college before most of her peers had even finished high school. But when personal challenges forced her to step away from her studies, her academic journey seemed uncertain. Now, several years later, she’s returning to 威尼斯人娱乐城 with resilience and purpose.

Ehlers will graduate from 威尼斯人娱乐城 with a degree in psychology this December, ready to pursue a career inspired by the research that reignited her passion during her undergraduate experience.

Why did you choose 威尼斯人娱乐城 initially?

I initially chose 威尼斯人娱乐城 because it was close to where I grew up, and since I started college as a minor, being near my parents felt important. I wanted that support while still getting the full college experience. When I started, I was a biology major on the pre-med track because I’d always been fascinated by the medical field. I took a lot of science and health-related courses in high school, so pursuing medicine felt like the right direction at the time.

What I didn’t expect was how challenging the transition to college-level coursework would be. The workload was intense, and I had to learn how to manage my time in ways I never had before. Around that same time, I started working to help support my family and balancing both work and school became overwhelming. Eventually, I decided to take a break from school to focus on work and personal responsibilities.

How did you find your passion again that led you to want to go back to school?

During my time away, I found a job that I loved and wanted to grow in, but I knew I’d need a degree to continue advancing. That’s what motivated me to return to school. My original focus in the medical field was neurology because I was fascinated by how the brain works. When I came back to school, I realized that my interests had shifted from the biological and chemical side of the brain to understanding how it functions emotionally and socially, which led me to psychology.

Once I started taking psychology courses, everything just clicked. It didn’t feel like work, it felt exciting. I had endless energy to study, and that’s when I knew I’d found the right path. I love learning about how people think, feel and connect with others, and I’m motivated by the idea of helping people better understand themselves and improve their lives. That passion is what pushes me academically and continues to drive me forward every day.

Why did you choose to come back to 威尼斯人娱乐城?

Coming back to 威尼斯人娱乐城 was an easy choice because of how positive my experience had been. I had already seen firsthand how supportive the faculty is and how much the university truly cares about its students.

I think 威尼斯人娱乐城 does an incredible job of focusing on the student experience as a whole, not just on grades or performance, but also on quality of life. You’re not just seen as the work you produce, you’re also seen as a person. The university encourages you to get involved in your community and take advantage of opportunities that go beyond the classroom. That was huge for me. Before my family moved to Kansas City, we lived in Iowa. The opportunities I’ve had in Kansas City are things I couldn’t have even imagined back home, and that’s a big part of why I wanted to return.

Who are the mentors you are most thankful for, and what has your relationship with them been like?

My closest mentor is Wesley Youngren, Ph.D.. I first met him as my professor, and later I learned about his night lab. I asked if I could shadow to get a better understanding of how research works in psychology since I had no prior experience in the field. After shadowing for a few sessions, Youngren informed me I was officially part of the lab. Since then, I’ve been working with him on different projects, and he’s been an incredible mentor.

Youngren’s wife, Leah Youngren, holds a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology and works for the Urban Education Research Center. Her degree was a field that really piqued my interest, so he connected me with her to learn more about her work and the UERC team. Even though they weren’t hiring at the time, I kept reaching out to ask for an interview. My persistence eventually paid off and I was offered a paid position, which I’m so grateful for. I would have been happy to volunteer just to gain experience, but getting the opportunity to be part of the team in an official role has been amazing.

Another mentor I’m very thankful for is Cindy McDonald, Ph.D. She works closely with nontraditional students in the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences and really helped me get back on track when I returned to school. She guided me through organizing my classes, managing my schedule and finding my confidence again so that I didn’t feel out of place.

Can you explain the research you are involved in?

At UERC, we focus on educational research and evaluation. Our team often serves as a third-party evaluator for educational programs that are implemented across the Kansas City metro area. My work primarily involves data analysis, data visualization and report writing, but I also get to go beyond the numbers and into the classrooms themselves.

Sometimes I help with data collection through student, teacher and parent surveys, and I assist with focus groups that include teachers, students and administrators. It’s really rewarding to see how the information we gather directly contributes to improving educational programs and outcomes in the community.

As for Youngren’s sleep-study research, the project explores how imagery and thoughts can influence and even control what we dream. Youngren and his research were featured in an American Psychological Association cover story about how disturbing dreams, such as nightmares, can significantly impact sleep quality and, over time, affect a person’s mental, emotional and physical health. Being part of that research has been an incredible experience.

What are you most thankful for at 威尼斯人娱乐城?

One of the things I really value about 威尼斯人娱乐城 is the faculty-to-student ratio. It allows you to build genuine relationships with your professors, which often lead to meaningful connections throughout Kansas City. The faculty, mentors and staff are all genuinely interested and invested in the success of their students.

Kansas City is such a large city with countless opportunities, and that can feel overwhelming at first. But having faculty who help guide you step by step, connect you with people, resources and experiences, makes a huge difference. It would be much harder to discover and take advantage of all the opportunities Kansas City has to offer without the kind of support 威尼斯人娱乐城 offers.

How have your experiences at 威尼斯人娱乐城 shaped what you hope to bring to your future?

My experiences at 威尼斯人娱乐城 have shown me the impact mentors can have on your growth. I’ve been fortunate to have so many people invest in me, and I’m passionate about paying that forward. I want to focus on supporting individuals, sharing my experiences and helping guide them in the way others guided me. In the past, I’ve worked with high school students who weren’t sure about college. By sharing my story and offering guidance, I was able give them a small push to explore opportunities they might not have considered. Professionally, I hope to continue doing what I love at UERC, while supporting others and helping them find their path.

What is the best word to describe yourself?

Creative. I’ve always felt that my brain works a little differently from others. Even before I started studying psychology, I noticed that I naturally approach problems and situations from different perspectives. I tend to look for new ways to reframe and understand things. Along with that, I’m drawn to activities that spark creativity and bring me joy, and my creative hobbies have always been a big part of how I express that side of myself.

Ooh, what are some creative hobbies you’ve tried and are into now?

I’ve tried just about every hobby under the sun, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. During COVID-19, I got into the sourdough trend and since then I’ve spent a lot of time crocheting and doing my own nails, which I really enjoy. Whenever I start something new, I like to dive into the foundations and understand the technical side of it. I’m a very mathematical and scientifically oriented person, so I enjoy the structure and precision that come with creative hobbies. That’s one reason I’m excited to start sewing next. It combines creativity with careful planning, measurements and customization. But for now, crocheting and doing my own nails are my favorites.

What have you learned about yourself through your journey?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to expand beyond my degree path. It can be uncomfortable, but being open to new ideas and different perspectives has broadened my horizons and helped me grow. It’s how I learned doing research data analytics is the career I want instead of what I originally envisioned. I’ve also learned to give myself grace. I excelled academically early on, so I put a lot of pressure on myself. Coming to college taught me it’s not just about grades. It’s about truly understanding the material, applying it and thinking about how it shapes my future career. Taking courses outside my major has shown me the value of collaborating with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, which has been both challenging and rewarding.