After graduating from high school with her A.A., Savannah Bailey arrived at the University of Florida and turned a daunting transition into upper-level coursework into a legacy of leadership and community building on campus.
Her drive and level of commitment to making the most of her own experience while giving back to others earned Savannah a spot as a CALS Top 10 Senior. Additionally, she was recognized with the prestigious Emelie Matthews Award, named in honor of a long-time CALS employee and given to outstanding transfer students.
From Farm Life to Finance
Despite growing up on a cattle farm, it wasn’t until the end of high school that Bailey would discover and fall in love with the field of Food and Resource Economics, thanks to UF CALS Director of Student Development and Recruitment Charlotte Emerson.
“I always wanted to do something in finance,” Bailey said. “But then I met with Dr. Emerson, and she told me about FRE, and I had no clue what that even meant at first.”
After learning more about the program, she realized it would be the perfect avenue to combine her experience in agriculture with her passion and aptitude for mathematics.
Finding Family through FRE
For Bailey, the UF experience was defined equally by the relationships built outside the classroom as the lessons learned within it.
During her first semester, she joined the FRE Ag. Mentorship Program (AMP), which pairs incoming students with upperclassmen. The support she received inspired her to pay it forward.
“I wanted to do that for the people that were coming in behind me, because sometimes you just need guidance, especially at a new place or in a new place and a new major if you switched whatever it may be,” Bailey said.
Her desire to give back did not stop there, as Bailey would become a CALS ambassador, working to welcome new prospective students to the college and answer their questions, just as Dr. Emerson once did for her.
Bailey also competed on the FRE Quiz Bowl team, completed an undergraduate honors thesis, and even served on the officer board of the Agricultural Economics Club.
“I was part of the Ag. Econ Club throughout my time at UF, and even served as a club officer for two years,” Bailey said. “It was a key way for me to build connections and bond with my classmates outside the classroom, and it also gave me another opportunity to mentor newer students as they began the program.”
For those just starting out in their undergraduate journey, Bailey encourages them to seek out opportunities to get involved that will allow them to build community during their time on campus.
“Whether it’s in our department or within CALS, or if it’s even not in the college, go get involved somewhere,” Bailey said. “Find your people that will help you throughout your time here.”
Forging Forward with Wedgworth
This fall, Bailey will begin her graduate studies as a double CALS Gator, this time pursuing a Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication.
As she finishes her time in FRE, Savannah credits her undergraduate experience with teaching her the art of critical thinking that allows you to understand that there is more than one way to approach, answer or understand a question.
“One of the most valuable parts of my undergraduate program was the critical thinking skills I was able to hone and develop,” Bailey said. “I really appreciated the focus on how to think about problems from multiple angles versus identifying a single, one-size fits all solution.
This mindset is exactly what she plans to bring to her work with the Wedgworth Leadership Institute. As she moves into graduate studies, her focus remains on the power of networking and professional growth.
“I’ll be working with the Wedgworth Leadership Institute,” Bailey said. “So being able to meet industry leaders and make those connections is something I’m really excited for right now.”
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