Portrait of Hailey Stagg.
APRIL 14, 2022 | BY NATE PROCTOR
Hailey Stagg was involved in President’s Community Scholars all four years of her college career. Throughout her time in PCS, she studied abroad in Arezzo, Italy, served as Damphousse intern, and was a mentor to freshmen students. Hailey has made friendships in PCS that have outlived her time in the organization—even meeting her husband, who was also in PCS. She graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma in 2020 with her bachelor’s in economics and Spanish. Hailey now serves as a technology analyst for Deloitte Consulting in Dallas. We sat down with Hailey to learn more about PCS’ impact on her college experience.
Q: What were some unique or exciting experiences you had in PCS?
Hailey: In the summer of 2017, I was able to study abroad with PCS in Arezzo, Italy for a four-week trip. This was one of my favorite experiences during my time at OU. It was incredible to be able to take this trip with my PCS peers and to live abroad for a month. However, the most unique part that I will never forget, was being able to participate in a local community service project for one of the elementary schools in Arezzo, Italy. The friends and experiences made on my trip abroad with PCS have outlived my college years at OU. In fact, two of the friends I made in Arezzo were bridesmaids at my wedding this past February when I married my husband (who was also in PCS).
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to the current and incoming PCS classes?
Hailey: I would tell freshmen entering PCS to take it all in. Everyone always says this, but time flies. My time in PCS went by in a blink of an eye, and to this day it is a huge part of what has shaped me into who I am today. Get involved in every opportunity you can, put yourself out there, and say yes. Say yes to leadership roles and service projects that you may not have done in the past. I was lucky enough to be involved in PCS all four years of college; first as a student, then as a mentor, Damphousse intern, and the L&V worker my senior year. It still wasn’t enough. This organization is one of the best. Meet as many people as you can. From the students, staff and mentors—the people in this organization will have a lasting impact on your college career in the best way possible.
Q: What are some words you live by?
Hailey: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
President’s Community Scholars is composed of students who want to make a difference in their community. President Joseph Harroz Jr. recognizes the community service efforts of our high school's best and brightest scholars through the President's Community Scholars scholarship. Administered by the Office of Leadership and Volunteerism from the Division of Student Affairs, PCS provides high-achieving high school students with the best possible freshman experience through service to local, state, and global communities.
