WVU Alumni West Virginia University

Growing up with well-educated parents, Caryn Bailey knew that going to college was a requirement, not an option. What she did not know is the vast success she would experience upon graduation.

Caryn grew up in Morgantown where she never doubted that, like her mother and father, she would attend WVU. When it came time for her to move on to higher education, that’s just what she did. In her time at West Virginia University, she was involved in multiple clubs and organizations including the Black Student Organization. She gave campus tours and stayed very involved in her church.

In 1997, Caryn received her bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology, but she did not stop there. In 1999, she received her master’s degree in public administration and left her hometown of Morgantown to take a position as the assistant director of multi-cultural programs and Lindley Center at Ohio University in Athens. After a year in that position, she took the position of grants and special projects manager for the Ohio University Telecommunications Center—an area that fascinated her. Caryn has always had a passion for fund raising and grant writing. It was natural when making her transition to the Washington, D.C., metro area to take on a fund-raising role with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). This position involved fund raising, corporate relations, and professional development for NSBE student leaders.

Caryn’s exceptional ability to build relationships in both public and private sectors eventually took her to Group Goetz Architects in Washington, D.C., where she was the director of business development. This position provided her with the opportunity to generate revenue for the firm, while building meaningful business relationships in the commercial real estate industry. She has since become a principal with the Cornerstone Heritage Group, LLC, a business development, and public relations consulting firm representing small to mid-size companies in the commercial real estate industry.

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Caryn says that she loves being able to make a difference and connect other business professionals to do business with one another. She lives for building relationships and it is her goal to always make a difference.

Being the multi-faceted, high-energy, multi-tasking individual that she is, Caryn is involved and holds leadership positions in a myriad of organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Zeta Omega Chapter, Commercial Real Estate Women, Washington, D.C. Chapter; D.C. Real Estate Group, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Ambassador, Membership and Regional Development Task Force Committees, National Association of Female Executives, Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., Property Assessment Committee, Women in Technology, and Sponsorship Committee.

She is currently serving as vice president for the African American Real Estate Professionals (AAREP). In March 2005, she was the first person to be nominated and chair the fund-raising committee for AAREP. Caryn’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. In May 2006, she was the recipient of the Member of the Year Award from the African American Real Estate Professionals.

“It was truly a humbling experience to be nominated by my colleagues to receive this wonderful award,” says Caryn. “It has been a phenomenal year and this will be something I cherish always.”

Through all of her success, Caryn stays humble and has never forgotten her West Virginia roots.

“To come back to Morgantown is just amazing. I’m so proud to be a native West Virginian and call Morgantown my home,” she explains.

By far, Caryn’s favorite Mountaineer tradition is going to football games. And she also credits much of her success to WVU. “If it was not for WVU, great professors, the knowledge obtained, and the good people who have made such a difference in my life along my educational and career path, my professional career may have turned out differently. I owe all of my success to God, my family, true friends and WVU.”

Caryn’s advice to undergraduates as well as those just starting out in the real world is simple: never burn bridges; treat others as you want to be treated; stay connected and involved in your alma mater; know who your true friends are; and always speak fondly of your time and experiences at WVU.

With a lead by doing philosophy behind her, Caryn undeniably follows her own advice – speaking very highly of WVU.

“I have so many wonderful memories. I met many great people at WVU. Our alumni are doing outstanding things throughout the world. I always proudly state that my alma mater is WVU. I treasure my experiences and would not change them for the world.”