Bailey Rice: Criminology Major and After School Mentor

Name: Bailey Rice

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.

Age: 18

Major: Criminology

Her Campus (HC): What was the decision process like for choosing Florida State as your university and Criminology as your major?

Bailey Rice (BR): I was born in Tallahassee and fell more in love with the city when I got involved in the community. It was only fitting that I would go to college in my favorite city! I chose to pursue criminology after a research project I did my junior year of high school; it was on the topic of criminal rehabilitation and mass incarceration. The more I learned about the injustices within our criminal ‘justice’ system, the more I became passionate and determined to make a change.

HC: What’s been your favorite class so far?

BR: My favorite class so far is called Women, Crime and Justice. Not only is it exciting because it’s my first criminology class, but it also focuses on the invisible role of women and feminism in the criminal legal system. 

HC: I know you’re involved with HOPE After School – what has that experience been like?

BR: HOPE is an awesome mentorship program through Downtown Community Church that assigns mentors with young students we affectionately call ‘scholars’ from local elementary and middle schools in Tallahassee. I love how we are paired with one specific student to give them the undivided attention that they deserve. Every single one of the kids that attend each Wednesday are incredible (even though my scholar is definitely the best).

HC: What would you say to encourage fellow classmates to get involved with a program like HOPE?

BR: I’ve found that it helps to join an organization that provides a lot of different opportunities.  Join something like The Center for Leadership and Social Change or a local church to get plugged into the community. It helps to bring a friend to experience it with you!

HC: What advice would you give to upcoming freshmen who might be feeling like they don’t have a calling?

BR: My piece of advice would be to stop limiting yourself to one specific “calling.” Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone to figure out what you are passionate about. In fact, the coolest things tend to happen outside of your comfort zone. Wherever you find yourself in this stage of life, do your best at it and make the most out of it!

• church
• community
• criminology
• feminism
• freshman
• FSU
• hope
• mentor
• Tallahassee
• volunteer