Assistant Professor: School of Science
“One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching at MACU is being able to share both my passion for science and my faith.”
Jayme Hayes joined the Biology Department at MACU in the Fall of 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Following her master’s degree, Hayes pursued medical school, driven by a longstanding goal to enter the medical field. However, her career path took an unexpected turn after the tragic loss of her father in the fall of 2019. This personal loss made it difficult for her to remain in the high-stakes environment of medicine.
In search of solace, Hayes traveled to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona for reflection and prayer. During this period of introspection, she rediscovered her interest in Microbiology research, a field she had been passionate about during her undergraduate studies. Hayes returned to OU as a lab assistant, and when a teaching assistant position for Microbiology courses became available, she embraced it. This experience reignited her enthusiasm for teaching science at the higher education level.
Determined to become a university professor, Hayes decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology. Before embarking on this significant educational journey, she opted to gain work experience and save money. She was fortunate to secure a teaching position at MACU, where she could teach while working towards her Ph.D. She began her doctoral studies in Microbiology in the Fall of 2022. At MACU, Hayes teaches Biology I & II, Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Embryology for the College of Arts, as well as Sciences and Anatomy and Physiology I for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.
Outside of academia, Hayes is an avid outdoors enthusiast. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and exploring national parks, having visited 20 of the 63 national parks along with numerous national monuments and forests. When not engaged in her professional duties, she can often be found hiking, participating in park clean-ups, volunteering with her church, or spending quality time with family and friends.
