09/02/2026
It's time for the first SoE Student Spotlight of the fall semester, and today we are shining that light on Haley Bode!
Haley is originally from Waterloo, Illinois, and she is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education with a subsequent endorsement in Early Childhood Education at Southern Illinois University. Haley hopes to combine her passions for agriculture and youth education to help young students better understand where their food comes from. Her experiences at SIU, including working at the Child Development Laboratory, have helped her grow as an educator and expand her perspective on how children learn.
Haley is a leader both on and off campus. She serves as president of Sigma Alpha, is involved in several SIU organizations, and works as the Union County Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator, where she teaches Pre-K through fourth-grade students about agriculture. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition as an American Royal Scholar, NAFB Scholar, IPSA Scholar, Eldon Witt Scholar, Sam Taylor Scholar, and IAA Scholar.
Looking toward the future, Haley hopes to find a career that combines her love of agriculture and youth education. Her advice to fellow students? “Be present.” She encourages future educators to embrace their time as students, enjoy the journey, and appreciate the people who support them along the way.
