Bailey Otter ’24 named Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – An inquisitive mind is an important trait in a successful student. For Bailey Otter ’24, the Fall 2024 Outstanding Islander Graduate for the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, it’s a trait she’s exhibited all her life.
“I have always been an inquisitive person, constantly asking ‘why?’ about everything,” Otter said. “I wanted to truly understand why the world worked the way it did.”
Otter, who was raised in Clifton, Texas, a small town between Austin and Dallas, will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.
"As a first-generation college student from a rural background, I encountered a lot of challenges along the way," Otter said. "Figuring out the unwritten rules of university life was difficult at first, but the support I found through various TAMU-CC programs made a huge difference. These resources didn’t just help me academically—they taught me how to advocate for myself and manage the resources I needed to succeed."
The flames of her inquisitive nature were fanned in Spring 2022, her second semester at TAMU-CC. That’s when Otter took Introduction to Sociology — a decision that changed the course of her academic future.
“On the first day of class, our instructor shared that ‘sociologists question the mundane,’ and ‘a sociologist’s favorite question is why’” Otter said. “I immediately realized that I was meant to be a sociology major and scheduled an appointment with my academic advisor that same day to make the switch.”
That instructor, Dr. Daniel Bartholomay, continued to play a significant role throughout Otter’s time at the Island University.
“Dr. Bartholomay constantly encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and try new experiences,” Otter said. “His mentorship style and ability to see his students as full people, rather than simply individuals in the classroom, has propelled me to academic heights I would have never imagined reaching on my own.”
Bartholomay invited Otter to participate in his photovoice-based research project exploring the health and work experiences of transgender people living in South Texas.
“I was thrilled when she joined me as a research assistant,” said Bartholomay, who is now an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of North Dakota. “It wasn’t long before I began to see her as a colleague rather than just a student. Mentorship is a two-way street, and with Bailey, it was exceptionally true. Over three years of collaboration, I felt that I learned as much from her as she may have learned from me.”
Moreover, thanks to the support of the McNair Scholars Program and Honors Programs, along with financial assistance from the Provost Office, Otter was able to present research at regional and national sociology conferences, including the 2023 and 2024 Midwest Sociological Society and the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings. She is also the recipient of numerous scholarships, including the Dr. Miriam Wagenschein Arts and Humanities Endowment; the Dr. Peter, Heidi, and Oliver Serrao Memorial Endowed Scholarship; the Lawrence M. Atkins Endowed Scholarship; and the Frazier Family Foundation, Inc. Annual Scholarship.
“Knowing that others are invested in my success has instilled a sense of accountability and confidence in my abilities,” Otter said. “Each scholarship represents not just financial support but also a recognition of my potential and efforts.”
Making a difference is one thing Otter had no trouble with at TAMU-CC. She’s served as the president of Islanders for Social Justice (ISJ) and Community Coordinator for the Honors Program. Under her leadership, ISJ was honored as Student Organization of the Year by the University Council of Student Organizations (UCSO). Having grown up with two moms, she is also an LGBTQIA+ advocate.
Otter takes pride in helping shape the next generation of Islanders. Serving as an Honors Peer Mentor, she met with a class of first-year honors students weekly, helping them transition to college life.
“Being able to connect with these students, many of whom faced challenges similar to my own as first-generation individuals from marginalized backgrounds, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience,” Otter said.
She hopes the students she’s worked with can grow as people, just as she has from her first day as an Islander.
“I see my academic, leadership, and research work as a reflection of my commitment to intellectual growth, social justice, and amplifying underrepresented voices," Otter said. "These experiences have shaped my time at TAMU-CC and provided a solid foundation for what I hope to contribute to both academia and society in the future. As I move forward in my education and eventually my career, I’m dedicated to continuing this work, carrying the values and spirit of the Islander community into everything I do."
