College of Charleston Motivates Graduating Senior to Learn More

Bailey Brewer has always had a drive to learn. Starting at age 3, she studied ballet for 15 years and was later declared pre-professional.   

“I went to public school during the day and then headed straight to dance until late into the evening when it was finally time do homework,” says Brewer, who relished in ballet’s structure, eloquence and poise. 

While she was never pressured to do well in school, Brewer applied the discipline she learned from ballet to her studies. She wanted to get into a good, small university with a close-knit community. After visiting the College of Charleston, she knew she had found her place, and joining the Honors College added another layer to the interconnectedness within the community. 

“From a young age, I understood the value of an education,” says the partial first-generation undergraduate student, who will be walking in the College’s winter commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. “I realized that to be financially comfortable later, I needed to push myself in my studies.”  

She also knew paying for college tuition and housing would fall on her shoulders.  

“My parents could not help with undergraduate tuition, so I applied to all the scholarships for which I met the requirements.”  

Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Brewer received the GEL Lab Scholarship, the Silverman Secular Humanist Scholarship, the Hibernian Society Foundation Scholarship, the Joseph A. Tate Memorial Scholarship, the Skirt Magazine Scholarship and the Department of Health and Human Performance Fund Scholarship, among several others.   

“I was very fortunate to receive numerous generous scholarships, which covered 90% of my tuition, and applied for federal financial aid to cover my rent and living expenses,” says the senior. “Honestly, I would not be where I am today without these scholarships. Not only were they of help financially, but they also served as an affirmation of my potential and commitment to making a difference.”  

When Brewer enrolled at the College of Charleston, she prioritized her studies, putting ballet on hold. The switch led Brewer to redefine her sense of self. 

“As an individual, I evolved a lot, but my drive to learn remained constant,” she says. “CofC presented many opportunities that helped me determine what I want to do.”  

An Honors College course on women’s health and advocacy with Beth Sundstrom, professor of health communication, motivated her to major in public health and minor in sociology.  

“Dr. Sundstrom provided me with a platform to delve deeper into women’s health research and advocate for reproductive justice,” says Brewer. “Our research does not intend to sway opinions but to examine the human right to personal bodily autonomy and its role in shaping health care policies.”  

Sundstrom invited Brewer to join the Women’s Health Research Team, which studies reproductive and sexual health issues. Brewer valued the mentorship and insight into women’s health issues, which helped her with her Honors bachelor’s essay: “Abortion & Healthcare Providers in the U.S. South.” Brewer analyzed how factors like race, class and gender dynamics influenced women’s access to health care. 

“My research sheds light on historical challenges and connects them to modern discussions on health care equity and access, a topic I am passionate about,” she explains.  

“Bailey is a motivated Honors student who has sought and achieved competitive opportunities to present historical and contemporary research on women’s health in the American South,” says Sundstrom, noting that, at the EXPO 2023, Brewer was awarded the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Choice Alumni Association Award for her research. “With the Women’s Health Research Team, Bailey’s award-winning research shows a deep understanding of public health issues and an interdisciplinary approach to building new knowledge.”  

RELATED: Read more about the Women’s Health Research Team.

Along with her overall CofC experience, the guidance Sundstrom gave her cemented Brewer’s desire to get her master’s degree in public health with a concentration on maternal and child health.   

“Dr. Sundstrom was a lifesaver throughout my time at the College,” says Brewer. “She offered ample guidance in the graduate school application process.”

Like she did when applying to the College, Brewer is searching for graduate universities with a close-knit community and a supportive environment. Her first choice is Brown University, Sundstrom’s alma mater. Her second choice is Johns Hopkins University, where she has already received an acceptance with generous scholarships.

“My mom cried with me when I told her I got in,” says Brewer, who will be the first in her family to attend graduate school. 

In the meantime, she will continue working as a medical office assistant and patient care representative for the Medical University of South Carolina. Her job fits well with her goal to work directly with women, children and families, addressing health disparities and supporting maternal and child wellbeing through research and community initiatives.  

Brewer’s career choice enables her to give back by contributing to the field of reproductive health. Inspired by her donors, she hopes to motivate other financially independent students by demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and focus.