Bobcat Stories | Bayleigh Machaffie
Meet Bayleigh Machaffie ’16
- Graduation Year: 2016
- Hometown: Dalton, Massachusetts
- Academic Program: Double Major in Wildlife Biology and Psychology with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Lees-McRae Activities: Order of the Tower, Honors Program, Varsity Softball, Senior Supervising Mentor at the Wildlife Center, Research Assistant for Wildlife Biology and Rock Climbing Club
Her Bobcat Story
Sitting in her home in Dalton, Massachusetts, Bayleigh pulled up Google, searched “Wildlife Rehabilitation Colleges,” and soon found the Lees-McRae website.
Always dreaming to work with animals, Bayleigh looked for a hands-on and specialized program. The Wildlife Biology and Rehabilitation Program at Lees-McRae felt perfect.
Still, it was intimidating considering a college in North Carolina—15 hours from home. She attended Scholar’s Day, and soon fell in love. At her new home, she made it her priority to become integrated and involved.
Bayleigh’s advice for students?
“Follow your instincts... even if it might be scary,” she said. “Especially if you are looking at a school where you don’t know anyone, that’s far away or that’s just different.”
After Bayleigh graduates in December, she will travel to New Zealand with the Wildlife Biology Program to volunteer at rehabilitation centers across the islands.