Bailey Puckett, Park University

Bailey Puckett, an International Political Science major and Global Studies minor, is passionate in support of refugee settlement in the Kansas City area. She is well on her way to becoming an agent of change. As a Cultural Orientation Intern with Jewish Vocational Services, she assumed responsibilities ranging from teaching Cultural Orientation classes to assisting clients to learn use of public transportation. Bailey has served refugees from countries including Afghanistan, Somalia, Bhutan, Burma, Iraq, Central African Republic, and Eritrea. She developed a brochure that will educate communities into which the refugees move about challenges refugees face and the benefits they offer new cultures. She anticipates research comparing resources required for refugee relocation to data representing economic and social benefits of that relocation. She wants others to also appreciate the courage and determination of those willing to invest themselves in the U.S. culture. Her long-term goal is to create public awareness through a community campaign demonstrating the value of program expansion to increase the number of refugee participants. While Bailey’s service began as a service-learning requirement, she continued her work with refugees as a purely voluntary activity. She is an exemplary student inspiring others through service to her community.