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Diani Bailey selected as student marshal for Auburn University’s summer 2023 commencement

Diani Bailey, a graduating senior in the Auburn University health services administration program from Graysville, Alabama, has been selected to lead the College of Liberal Arts’ class of 2023 in this summer’s commencement ceremonies Aug. 5.

Bailey chose a degree in health services administration to advocate for patients and find ways to enhance the affordability, quality and accessibility of health care. She complemented her major with a minor in business administration to combine administrative and clinical expertise to improve health care.

“I have always held health care workers in high regard, seeing them as nothing short of heroes,” Bailey said. “My passion for being an advocate and helping those in need has only strengthened over time. Through my volunteer work and close collaboration with mentors, I have gained a deeper understanding of the health care field and recognized the pressing need for knowledgeable health care administrators.”

During her time at Auburn, Bailey was a member of the Hospitality and Healthcare Administration Organization (HHAO), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Bailey also served as a student recruiter in the College of Liberal Arts, received Dean’s List honors multiple times and was named a Tiger Excellence Scholar.

She held administrative and leadership positions in the Kappa Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Black Student Union (BSU) at Auburn University, Auburn Student Government Association (SGA), the Auburn University Initiative for Representation in Nursing (IRN) and served as campaign manager for both Miss Homecoming and Miss Auburn candidates.

Bailey gained professional and volunteer experience at Birmingham OBGYN at St. Vincent’s, Children’s of Alabama, and Montgomery’s Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) advocacy group. Through her on-campus involvement and off-campus experience, Bailey learned about the importance of diversity, advocacy, and hard work.

“Auburn helped me find a community, find my voice and prepare me for life after college,” Bailey said. “I want to utilize my education, training and experience by working in rural areas to reach people who don’t have proper access to health care and identify efficient solutions to the ongoing nurse and physician shortage. With Auburn’s College of Liberal Arts providing me with a platform to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives, I am now more determined than ever to make a meaningful contribution to the health care profession.”

After graduation, Bailey will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s accelerated master’s in nursing program, then pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. She is the youngest of five siblings to earn a degree from Auburn University. Bailey said Auburn’s experienced faculty, academic advising, and smaller class sizes taught her how to succeed in health care administration.

“We are proud to support Diani Bailey’s journey to improve health care through engaging diverse perspectives and disciplines,” said College of Liberal Arts Dean Jason Hicks. “Her advocacy, engagement and vision to identify solutions to health care’s challenges inspires us all to strive for a better world. Diani is an excellent choice to lead our graduating class, and we look forward to following the strides she makes in health care.”

The university will host commencement and conferral ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 5, with a commencement address from Auburn alumnus Marc Walley ’85, president and chief executive officer of Forest Investment Associates.

Additional information, including updates regarding inclement weather, is available on the commencement website and information will be posted on the Facebook and Instagram accounts.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed, with recordings available on the commencement website following the weekend festivities, and graduates and their families are encouraged to check the website regularly for updated information.

Tags: Students Political Science