Mastering Admissions Harding Student earns her master’s while working for the Graduate Admissions Program. Hannah Hackworth, an alumna of Harding University, worked in the Graduate Admissions program while simultaneously completing her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). The 2024–25 school year was the first year Harding provided a Graduate Admissions office, and Hackworth was one of the first employees hired to test the program. Upon her first few months working, Hackworth decided she would work toward her graduate degree while she had the available resources and location. “We are so lucky to have her working in our Graduate Admissions office,” senior director of Admissions Garrett Escue said. “She and the rest of our team have done an incredible job trailblazing a new effort to formalize the recruitment process for all of our graduate programs.” Hackworth graduated from Harding in spring 2022 with an undergraduate degree in Public Relations. She then moved back to her home state, Oklahoma, where she worked as a communications specialist for Oklahoma State University. Hackworth soon decided that she would like a change in career. Interested in staying in higher education, she contacted Harding, recalling how much she enjoyed her undergraduate years as an Admissions student worker. “I originally wanted to do Undergraduate Admissions because I did not know Graduate Admissions was a thing yet,” Hackworth said. “They had a full house in Undergraduate [Admissions,] so they asked if I would be willing to be in the starting hires for Graduate Admissions, making it up as we go.” Because Harding offered a significant discount to faculty for their education, Hackworth started to consider the possibility of getting a master’s degree. “I wasn’t completely sure where I wanted to go careerwise because public relations is so broad,” Hackworth said. “Once I got here and learned more about graduate programs, I thought an MBA would be helpful.” Her original intent with her job in Graduate Admissions was not to get a new degree, but she was encouraged by the higher education environment. “Balancing student life and work can be challenging,” Hackworth’s co-worker and classmate graduate student Hanna Anderson said. “Hannah does it with grace and enthusiasm, making a positive impact on everyone around her. Hackworth’s master’s program was completely online, and she was able to work remotely while traveling. Written by Adele Duncan PRETTY IN PINK Hannah Hackworth stands in front of the Paul R. Carter College of Business. She began working toward her MBA upon joining the Gradute Admissions team.. Photo by Abigail Callicoat 177 Hannah Hackworth
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