When Mia Hayden was researching potential universities during high school, her mother told her that she could tour one out-of-state institution. Something attracted the Colorado native to the University of Tennessee.

“I had never been to Tennessee, but my heart told me I needed to visit,” Hayden says. “After touring the Haslam College of Business, I was drawn to the college’s sense of community. I felt like I could belong here.”

Now a senior majoring in marketing, Hayden has found a home in Haslam. The support she received through academics, career coaching and advising provided the tools needed to grow professionally and personally.

“I’ve felt cared for and important and part of a community,” Hayden says. “Education has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to discover more, not only about the world around me, but also about myself.”

Involvement in programs like Greg & Lisa Smith Global Leadership Scholars (Smith GLS) has furthered this sense of belonging. As Haslam’s premier honors program, Smith GLS promotes the development of international and intercultural awareness and leadership along with personal and professional growth. This unique community participates in classes, seminars, training and travel abroad together.

“The cohort has been so impactful,” Hayden says. “We are all different individuals with a variety of backgrounds, but we found common ground through our work in Smith GLS. It gave me a deeper appreciation for my experiences and relationships in college. The group feels like a family.”

Hayden says her involvement in Smith GLS pushed her toward success. In her major program, she completed an internship with a marketing firm in Boston, reaffirming her feelings that the marketing industry was the right fit for her.

“I fell in love with the creative, expressive side of marketing,” says Hayden. “Through storytelling and engaging with others, you can make a difference in the world, which is a main goal for me.”

Hayden shares her experience regularly with potential students through the Haslam Ambassadors program. She leads tours of the college and connects with students and families considering UT and Haslam for their higher education experience. She encourages prospective students to consider who inspires them when choosing a college.

“I am inspired by the incredible faculty, staff and alumni I have worked with during my time at Haslam,” says Hayden. “When I was considering colleges, I could look at Haslam alumni and see people I wanted to be like. From freshman to senior year is a quick four years; then, you are an alum for a lifetime. It’s a great privilege to know I will be able to call myself a Haslam alumna soon.”