MacKenzie Bedor

Biography

I grew up in the small town of Clarkston, Michigan. I love all things Michigan (Go Blue!) and my favorite season is fall because of the beautiful colors in the mitten! I always look forward to visiting my family, especially my niece and two nephews. I spend my free time biking, going for long walks, reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with my family/friends.

When I was looking for a college, I visited Taylor and was instantly hooked. I could tell the community was genuine and the people were real. I experienced an exuberance and a depth that I desired in my own life. During my time at Taylor, I grew in ways that I could not have imagined or predicted. I was better able to articulate why I believe what I believe, I experienced meaningful relationships, and I engaged in stimulating conversations. It was a deeply transformative time in my life.

After Taylor, I received my Master of Social Work and began working in the mental health field. I worked as a Behavioral Health Clinician in a Federally Qualified Health Center, serving those with low income or no insurance. I then worked on the medical floor and in the Emergency Room at a hospital doing mental health assessments, substance abuse assessments, group therapy, treatment, and education. I am deeply passionate about mental health education, prevention, and treatment. I hope to support the Taylor community in this sphere of influence.

It has always been a dream of mine to work at Taylor. Taylor is truly my second home and the people are my "Taylor family." I am humbled and grateful to be back on campus as a hall director. It is not a responsibility I take lightly, and I am excited to see how God works in and through the students!

Advice to Incoming Freshmen

You may not find your best friends right away. You might feel lonely, even though you are surrounded by people. Give it time. Be yourself. Always trust that God has you in the right spot at the right time. Remember that some relationships are for a season, and some are lifelong - but often we don't know that until years down the road. Some of my deepest friendships from Taylor are from my last semester on campus, or even from re-connecting after graduation. Whether you meet your best friends freshman year or senior year - know that you will find AMAZING people at Taylor University - don't take them for granted!