Student Services Coordinator  

Years in Position: 4.5 years 

Years of Service to MSU: 14 years 

For Bailey Poindexter, being a first-generation college graduate shaped not only her educational journey, but also her entire approach to helping students navigate theirs.  

Now serving as Student Services Coordinator for the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University, Poindexter draws deeply from her own experience to support others. With 14 years of service to MSU—four and a half of them in her current role—she has become a trusted guide for students navigating both academic and personal growth. 

“I love connecting with our students and watching them become the adults they hope to be,” Poindexter said. “Collaborating with faculty and students who are actively working to improve lives through education, research and community engagement is incredibly motivating.” 

Her day-to-day work involves overseeing student services and academic activities across the school’s degree programs and curriculum options. She helps ensure academic procedures run smoothly, maintains records, advises undergraduate students, and represents the school in recruitment and academic affairs meetings. But beyond the logistics, Poindexter is focused on something deeper—student success. 

“As a first-generation college graduate, I am personally familiar with the unique challenges that many students face when they enroll in college,” she said. “I hope to use my education and experience to make this process more accessible and supportive for all our students.” 

Her academic path reflects that commitment. She earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field, with research focused on how higher education structures can better support under-resourced students. 

One of her most memorable moments on the job came during Spring 2025 graduation, when her first group of advisees crossed the stage. 

“It was very moving for me,” she said. “Several of the students I advised during my first semester received their diplomas. It is so rewarding to build relationships with students and then cheer them on when they reach this important milestone.” 

That sense of personal connection extends to her own family’s deep ties to Mississippi State. Her husband, William, works for the MSU Extension Service’s Center for Government and Community Development. Their two children are students at the Child Development and Family Sciences Center—located within the very school where she works—further cementing the Poindexters' bond with the university community. 

Outside of work, Poindexter enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and playing in a local mahjong league. 

Whether through her research, advising or everyday conversations, Poindexter’s goal is simple: to help students believe in themselves and build the futures they imagine.