College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

“Growing up, I had always been a creative individual and knew I wanted to do something to use my creativity,” said Bailey Jones, a graduating senior from Nashville, Tn.

Her experiences taking a yearbook class in high school provided a space to explore her creativity more. “I learned about graphic design and fell in love with it. Later in my college career, I decided to pursue a degree in advertising on top of my design degree because I was interested in the advertising world and the idea of creating campaigns for brands I love.” 

Now, on December 12, Jones will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising, along with a User Experience (UX Design) Certificate - degrees she desired since high school. Back then, she knew earning the two degrees would involve intentionality and creativity.

Similar to how UX Design is the art of crafting dynamic interactive experiences across devices and platforms, Jones’ journey to the top included several meaningful and uniquely cultivated experiences, such as global learning, sisterhood and internships - all starting with those visits to the Hill with family.

“When I first started looking at colleges, WKU was always at the top of my list because of how familiar I was with it. Both my parents graduated from WKU, and I have grown up knowing the university,” Jones said. “We would go around and see all of my parents' friends from when they were at Western [for Homecoming]. They would also show me around the places on campus and in Bowling Green that were memorable to them and share those stories.”

Now, Jones makes memories to share of her own, some of which started with the Global Learning Ambassador Program, the first program she joined at WKU. 

Global Learning Ambassadors work closely with WKU’s global learning initiatives. They help to shape programming opportunities for current students, assist with recruitment efforts and mentor new international students and those interested in study abroad. Jones works with both international students and students who studied abroad. “As an ambassador, we spend a good amount of time together, so we get to know each other pretty well and hear each other's experiences.”

Jones first studied abroad with Semester at Sea, a program that brings together students from multiple universities to engage in learning experiences while in different countries. 

“Traveling abroad for four months at sea is life-changing because you see and learn so much while being ‘disconnected’ from home, which allowed me to gain cultural knowledge and influences,” Jones said. While on the ship, known as a “floating campus,” Jones completed full-time coursework and traveled to 11 different countries. This spearheaded her desire to inform other students about opportunities to learn abroad.

“Working with WKU Global helped me grow out of my shell and allowed me to meet a lot of wonderful people,” Jones said. 

Meeting wonderful people extended to the sisters she gained when joining her sorority. 

“Since joining Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., I have spent most of my time with my sisters.” Jones shared how together they planned events as well as participated in events like the annual yard show and step show. She explained that their closeness allowed them to successfully run the chapter.

“My sorority has shaped my WKU experience because it not only gave me my sisters, but it has helped me grow tremendously into the woman I am today.” 

A WKU experience full of meaningful relationship building shows one aspect of Jones’ time in college, and gaining real-world experience shows another. 

“I have been interning with WKU Imagewest for the past year, and it aided me in gaining the Art Director Intern position at Doe Anderson Advertising Agency over Summer 2025,” Jones said. 

At Imagewest, a student-powered agency, Jones enhances her graphic design skills while also applying information she learned from class. During her first semester at WKU Imagewest, she and her peers worked on the AAF/NSAC competition, where they won first place in the district with the campaign, they created that semester. 

“Bailey is one of those rare young designers who elevates every team she’s part of. As co-creative director for our 2025 AT&T NSAC plans book, she set the visual tone and guided her peers with confidence and clarity,” said Kara Glenn, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Design and Co-Director of Imagewest. 

Glenn added, “Doe-Anderson, Kentucky’s most respected advertising agency, personally recruited her for their Creative Direction internship last summer. That stands as a testament to the strength of her portfolio and the professional experience she’s gained through her coursework and Imagewest.” 

At Doe Anderson, an advertising agency in Louisville, Jones helped work on a possible rebrand for the Louisville Ballet as well as other clients like Bourbon Limited. 

“Both internships have helped me grow as a designer and have helped me grow in other areas, such as strategy as well.”

After graduating from WKU, Jones plans to return to Nashville and secure a position as a graphic designer or art director at an advertising agency.

“Bailey represents the kind of strategic, thoughtful and deeply creative talent our industry needs, and she has an exciting future ahead,” Glenn finished.