Rooted at Last: How Mid Helped Kailey Smith Find Her Future

For most of her life, Kailey Smith never stayed in one place for long. Born in Alma and raised at different times throughout cities in Michigan, Idaho, and Missouri, she moved so often that stability felt out of reach. Looking back, Kailey describes those years as chaotic and uncertain, without one place she could truly call home. Yet the moment she stepped through the doors at Mid Michigan College, something shifted. She finally felt grounded.

Today, Kailey is pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Mid while planning for an ambitious future. She hopes to become a business owner and launch Kailey’s Kreations, her own bakery concept, by 2027. She also plans to become a part-owner at her current workplace while continuing her education at Alma College to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Art & Design with a minor in Marketing.

Her life before Mid was far different. Kailey shared that she felt lost and unsure of where she belonged. Those feelings changed the moment she enrolled. “After being in the groove of school, I started to find out who I was and where I belonged in this place we call the world,” she said. Joining Mid’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a national honor society for two-year college students, opened doors she never imagined possible, including the confidence to transfer to a larger institution and the opportunity to serve as a Chapter Officer. She says this honor helped her find the sense of belonging she had spent years searching for.

Kailey’s journey has not been without hardship. She is a survivor of domestic violence, an experience that forced her to leave her home suddenly and rebuild her life from the ground up. One of the first events she attended at Mid was a domestic violence awareness event hosted by PTK. “Attending that event opened my eyes and made me realize how important it felt to be part of something bigger,” she said. The event introduced her to others who had walked similar paths and showed her that she was not alone.

Her road to higher education was also delayed by another meaningful journey, becoming a mother. For a long time, Kailey doubted she could work, raise her daughter, and attend college at the same time. But eventually, that challenge became her motivation. She now looks back with pride on completing 62 credits in four semesters while working full-time, parenting full-time, and supporting her daughter’s dance schedule and her sons’ sports activities.

Kailey chose Mid because she saw her coworkers pursuing their own education and wanted to build a better future for herself and her family. She quickly discovered that Mid was the right environment. Instructors were patient, supportive, and ready to help her strengthen her skills. Staff members guided her through difficult moments and offered encouragement when she questioned her path. She also credits her mother as her greatest supporter, who helped care for her kids so she could study and stay focused on her goals.

The community at Mid quickly became a second home for Kailey, where she built key friendships that she will carry for life. Kailey enjoys participating in student events ranging from Veterans Day activities to Mid’s annual Deadwood Grove Haunted Forest PTK fundraiser.

“I care deeply about Mid because of how profoundly it has shaped me,” shared Kailey. “Being part of Phi Theta Kappa, serving the community, building genuine relationships, and discovering my potential have allowed me to grow into the person I always hoped I could become. Many of my achievements happened because of Mid Michigan College and the opportunities it created for me.”

Looking ahead, Kailey is determined to graduate from Alma College, officially launch Kailey’s Kreations, and continue developing her business and marketing skills. She even hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Behavioral Economics one day.

Her story is one of movement transformed into momentum at Mid. Every relocation, hardship, and moment of doubt ultimately led her to a community where she could rebuild her confidence and chart her future with clarity and courage.

Whether it’s discovering who you are or building the future you dream of, Mid Moves You.