Bailey has always been interested in “making a difference in people’s lives” like her father, a minister, and her mother, a nurse, crediting both as being her two greatest role models. Bailey originally wanted to follow her mother into the field of nursing. However, after a class during her sophomore year in college hosted a speech-language pathologist who spoke about the opportunities in the field of speech-language pathology, Bailey knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of a dynamic field that cares for people and improves their lives simultaneously. She credits our own President Bowman, Professor of Speech-Pathology and former Chairperson of the Department, for encouraging her to further her education. “Dr. Bowman was the person who motivated me to go back to school for my doctorate,” said Bailey. “As many people at ISU and beyond know, he’s a very inspiring leader!” Bailey also credits her advisor in the Department of Special Education, Dr. Maureen Angell, for being an amazing model as a researcher and teacher.
Bailey’s current research focuses on strategies for effective management of dysphagia in school environments. “Very little research has been done in the school setting, so the possibilities of making a positive impact are great,” said Bailey. She recently completed a qualitative investigation involving parents’ and guardians’ perceptions of the management of their children’s dysphagia as the children transition to new roles as students in public schools. “Their stories are amazing. There are many lessons that can be learned from their experiences.”
Bailey teaches a host of graduate courses focusing on dysphagia swallowing management of tracheostomized and/or ventilated patients, as well as speech, voice, and resonance. She is excited about the new curricular developments in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. “We’ve been able to add several elective courses that allow students to gain information about their areas of interest,” said Bailey. “Another important development has been the inclusion of service-learning pedagogy in several speech pathology courses.”
When not conducting research investigations with graduate students or preparing to teach courses, Bailey devotes her time “to keeping up with my wonderful husband and two active boys.” You may see her one evening driving her two sons around town to their many sporting events and school activities. To keep up with her busy life, Bailey keeps herself focused and relaxed by running a few 5K’s and a half marathon each year.
Bailey earned her Ed.D. in Special Education from Illinois State in 2002. She holds an M.S. and a B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Illinois State. In addition, Bailey holds certifications or licenses inlcuding the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA's CCC-SLP) and is a Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BRS-S).