Bringing knowledge to life in the real world

When she learned of all the places she could go to practice what she would be learning in her Sport and Recreation Management classrooms, Rachel Bailey knew JMU would be her new home. The results—which include a return trip to work inside the gates at the legendary Masters golf tourney—speak for themselves.

Rachel Bailey is a born doer.

She says JMU has hooked her up in all the best ways.

Turning intellect into action is how Bailey has made her way since the start of her sophomore year at JMU—and oh what ground she has covered in that time.

Her list of accomplishments includes stints at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the BMW Championship in Maryland and a full range of collegiate experience working with JMU Athletics Facilities and Events.

Not many college students can say they have been on the staff at the Masters. And of the select group that returns there for a second year, Bailey has pursued—and been chosen for—a higher-profile job this spring.

After last year’s assignment having been a server in the prestigious Founders Room, a gig that included working Masters champ Rory McElroy’s Champions dinner, Bailey took a swing at a significant upgrade—and has been chosen as one of the four students who oversees all the student hospitality employees.

“This year, I’ll be a tournament workforce assistant, so working specifically with all the employees across the hospitality part,” she says, adding, “This job is kind of a human resources for them and a behind-the-scenes thing of being there for anything they need.”

For Bailey, this year’s extra steps of sharing her resume and a video interview have added to the excitement for the tournament workforce assistant post. “This is quite a jump up from serving. It’s all very exciting.”

JMU has set the stage. Bailey has followed through on her end. Her future is bright.

Says Bailey, “I’m super happy with JMU. For school, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”