Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Family: Husband, Nickey Baker, and children, Dion, 15, and Ivana, 11.

Current Employment: Macon State microbiology lab tech.

Degree Objective: Bachelor of science in middle grades education.

Class Rank: Sophomore.

Activities: International Students and Studies Association (ISSA); learning mentor for Bibb County schools and Macon State Early College; and Student Support Services participant.

Career Goals: “I want to be one of the best history teachers in Bibb County. I want students to realize that history is fun and necessary, and that if they learn from the past they can shape the future. I also want my students to realize that they are our future and they have a lot to offer the world.”

She chose Macon State College because of … “The beautiful campus, the cost of tuition, the convenience from my home and having the degree I wanted. I looked at another school, but they only had the two-year education degree at the time. I also tried the University of Phoenix online, but that was not for me at all. Then, my daughter started attending private school in Macon and I kept seeing a lot of Macon State parking stickers on the cars there, so I asked her teachers about Macon State. When I came to look at the campus, I fell in love. Once I found out that I qualified for financial aid and would not have any out-of-pocket expenses, my husband said ‘go for it.’ I love going to Macon State and look forward to learning everything I can.”

The one thing that surprised her about Macon State was … “The Library and Academic Resource Center. There is so much for us there. The online resources, computers, movies you can watch online, study booths, tutors, seminars you can attend to help you study – all for free! I love it!”

Her favorite professors are … “Dr. Sara Worley and Ms. Mary Mears. Dr. Worley is my favorite professor because she believes in what she is teaching and she teaches it with great enthusiasm. Ms. Mears is my other favorite professor because she inspires me to do my very best and dig deep for answers and to think. Both of them have encouraged me to be a lifelong learner, which I will encourage my future students to be as well.”

Her favorite place to study is … “Either in the microbiology lab in the Jones Building or upstairs in the Library. It is very difficult for me to study at home because the phone is always ringing or there are always so many other things to do that I just cannot focus. Therefore, school has become my second home and most of my time is spent on campus, which I don’t mind because it is so beautiful.”

One thing people don’t know about her is … “I am a vegan. I feel meat and dairy products are not healthy for our bodies at all.”

Her friends make fun of her because … “I almost always wear dresses and skirts instead of pants. Pants are restrictive and don’t flow. My friends also call me a health nut, but I think the better you feel the more you can learn and the happier you are. God says that our bodies are temples, and if I want Jesus to dwell in me, I need to keep my body free from sickness and disease the best I know how and God will do the rest.”

The one person she’d most like to meet is … “Sojourner Truth. Sojourner, her original name being Isabella Baumfree, was one who sought truth and justice. I love those qualities in people. Sojourner also made sure others respected the law and did what was right.”

Five years from now she sees herself … “Working at Appling Middle School in Macon as a sixth- or seventh-grade history teacher. I also hope to be working with the Bibb County Board of Education to formulate an American history curriculum that will focus on Native American and African American history as well as European and Spanish American history. I hope to have become the kind of teacher that former students want to come back and see because they know I want them to succeed and keep them in my heart.”