One of Park University’s educational priorities is encompassing diversity among students and the classroom. However, this aspect does not always require an international frame of mind.

Several students at Park do not fit into the conventional student mold, juggling responsibilities and routines that break typical student stereotypes. Elisha Bailey is one of these exceptional students.

Bailey is a 37-year-old student, wife and mother of three. She has lived in Kansas City her entire life and after two years of studying nursing at Brown Mackie College, she transferred to Park to study fine arts and graphic design.

After several semesters of dedicating herself to school and family, she will graduate in May with a hard-earned degree.

“The first two years at Park I overloaded at 18 credit hours a semester just to make sure I would graduate when I needed to,” Bailey said.

She also puts in 12 hours a week as a work-study employee, is the president of the Art Club and a member of the Theatre Club.

She enjoys her role as president and hopes to add several events as the semester progresses. She hopes to focus the club on giving back to the community, and reaching out.

“I don’t want it to be just for people who are art majors,” she said. “I want it to be for people who are interested in getting together and doing things like going on hikes and taking photos. It’s about art. It’s about being hands-on and coming together to get to know one another and have fun.”

Life looks very different for Bailey compared to her peers. She has learned to handle a hectic schedule that demands much more than normal.

With three children, ages 12, nine and six, her priorities are spread between her family and education.

A typical day for Bailey begins at 6:45 a.m. She cooks breakfast, packs lunches for each child, checks homework and fills backpacks just in time for all three to ride the bus to school.

All the while, she is getting ready, gathering homework and books for her full day at school and makes the commute the moment the bus drives away.

After class, she isn’t able to start homework until each child is fed and put to bed. Usually, her days don’t end until after 1 a.m.

“I have three kids and I’m involved with our church on top of all my classes,” Bailey said. “And being an art major, you have to put in a lot of hours outside of class on top of your class time or studio time and still not miss the kids’ activities or make them feel like you’re shoving them off to the side.”

While most people would be overwhelmed with such a frantic schedule, Bailey has developed a system that allows her to accomplish every task efficiently.

She is able to balance work, class time, studio time, homework, family and church with unprecedented skill.