Navigating New Horizons
By Rachel Carlson
Rori Haley
Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management
Mountain View, California
Hailing from the sunny city of Mountain View, California, Rori Haley’s journey took an unexpected turn when she found herself at Baylor University, thousands of miles away from her West Coast roots.
Growing up, Haley was active in a myriad of sports, including field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball and even figure skating. Over the years, her intellectual curiosity blossomed, leading her to explore new interests like Russian literature.
While Baylor wasn’t initially on Haley’s radar when considering colleges, a friend’s enthusiastic recommendation sparked her interest. Stepping onto the Baylor campus for the first time, Haley felt an inexplicable sense of belonging, as if fate had guided her to this new chapter of her life. With no familial ties to Baylor, she embarked on her collegiate journey independently, ready to carve out her path in the world.
Haley’s academic pursuits reflect her diverse interests. She has declared a double major in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis on the pre-law track. Outside the classroom, she is an active member of her sorority, pre-law society and Women in Business, finding communities that have enriched her college experience.
Her journey into the world of research began with her involvement in the Undergraduate Research Assistant (UGRA) Program. During her sophomore year, she earned a spot working alongside faculty members Dawn Carlson and Matt Quade, assisting with various research projects.
“My focus has shifted throughout my time as a research assistant,” Haley said. “Initially, I compiled research on topics like sibling rivalries, supervisor-subordinate crossover, family caregiving and spouse social comparison, all exploring how work life affects employees. More recently, however, I have been researching cultural intelligence, which is the ability to thrive in multiple cultures. I have really enjoyed exploring its four-factor model, which examines metacognitive, cognitive, behavioral and motivational aspects.”
While the UGRA program has been beneficial for Haley, it has also been tremendously helpful for faculty.
“Working with Rori has allowed me to combine my passion for research with my love of teaching to share my research skills with the future generation,” Carlson said. “She’s always eager to learn and willing to take on any task. With flexibility in our arrangement to accommodate her commitments, our collaboration has been mutually beneficial as she learns about my research and develops new skills while providing invaluable support.”
Haley encourages others to step out of their comfort zone and be open to different experiences.
“I was originally apprehensive about working with all of them; I didn’t want them to think I wasn’t suited or ready for the role,” Haley said. “However, once I started working with them, I learned they are some of the nicest people and understand I’m a student first. They’ve made this entire work experience extremely wonderful. I’m very thankful to them for that.”
After graduation, Haley plans to enroll in the MBA/MSIS program at Baylor, followed by law school. Her goal is to specialize in corporate law, with a focus on leveraging technology within the legal field.
Haley’s commitment to research has enriched her academic journey and contributed to the advancement of scholarship. With her passion for exploration, she is set to continue making meaningful contributions in her future endeavors.
