Baily Egan

Baily Egan

Baily Egan grew up in Colstrip Montana. When Baily first heard from MSU-Northern, it was through a call from volleyball coach Jerry Wagner. That call would set her on a path she hadn’t quite anticipated—but one that has since shaped her college journey and future.

“I had never been to Havre before my recruiting visit,” Baily admits. “But once I was here, I just had a gut feeling that Northern was the right place for me.” Drawn in by the small-town atmosphere, affordability, and the chance to continue playing volleyball, she made the leap—without even touring beforehand.

For Baily, the transition from homebody to college student came with challenges. “I was really nervous about being away from home,” she says. “And not knowing what to expect was scary. But Northern’s coaches and staff helped me get settled and feel supported.” That sense of support has only grown over time. “The community here has exceeded anything I ever expected.”

Northern’s close-knit campus and hands-on approach have given Baily the tools to grow both personally and professionally. She credits small class sizes and accessible faculty with helping her truly understand the practical side of engineering. “The labs and the resources here really prepare you—if you take advantage of them,” she says. “I’ve learned to be resourceful and to manage my time, especially balancing a tough academic schedule with volleyball.

Volleyball has been a cornerstone of Baily’s college experience, not just for the sport, but for the friendships it brought. “It gave me some of my best friends, and honestly, that’s been the best part of college,” she says. Some of her favorite memories are the simple ones—sunset drives, music, and moments shared with those close to her.

Last summer, Baily interned at Westmoreland Rosebud Mine, an opportunity that opened her eyes to the range of possibilities within the civil engineering field. While she’s still figuring out her post-graduation plans, she’s confident in her foundation. “I don’t know exactly where I’ll be in five years,” she says, “but I trust that things will work out the way they’re meant to.”

Her advice to future students? Don’t judge Northern by first impressions. “Havre might catch you off guard, but once you're here, you start to see what makes it special. You just learn to love it.”

Find out more about the MSUN Civil Engineering Technology program!