{"id":14165,"date":"2026-05-12T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/?p=14165"},"modified":"2026-05-08T13:11:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:11:00","slug":"alumni-series-annie-hailey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/alumni-series-annie-hailey\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni Series: Annie Hailey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:39% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-724x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey holding bouquet of flowers at outdoor dining area.\" class=\"wp-image-14167 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-283x400.png 283w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy-2.png 1414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u201cLife after college can wait, this chapter of your life can only happen once. These four years of your life at Tarleton State are going to be so special to look back on, soak up every memory.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Annie Hailey&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Tarleton State Alumna, Class of 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Although getting involved on campus is highly recommended, some students find that simply soaking up every moment is exactly what they need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For alumna Annie Hailey, building relationships and forging lifelong connections did not start and end when she officially became a Tarleton State Texan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Originally from Prosper, Texas, Hailey chose to attend Tarleton State for its rich traditions and small town feel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTarleton reminded me of my hometown. There is a deep-rooted community here on campus, combining the small town feel while having a fast-growing campus in the heart of it all. After the first time I saw campus, I knew I was home,\u201d Hailey said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite not being heavily involved on campus, the connections Hailey made in and out of the classroom still made a lasting impact on her time here at Tarleton State University.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey, with friends, at a basketball game.\" class=\"wp-image-14168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/134.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey with friend at concert.\" class=\"wp-image-14169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/135.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey, with friend, at outdoor book event.\" class=\"wp-image-14170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/136.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhile I was in school, I felt guilty about not being involved in anything on campus because everyone says to get involved and I felt that I was eventually going to regret my decision or feel left out. I would go back and tell myself to let that weight of guilt\/worry go because I wouldn&#8217;t change my journey at Tarleton State. I focused on my grades and spending time with friends. <strong>I made so many connections and lifelong friendships without the added pressure of getting involved.<\/strong> I should&#8217;ve been more confident in my choice because I now know that I made the right decision for myself,\u201d Hailey said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8aad8c8fb05c9998215af48231cef678\"><strong><em>Crossing The Stage &amp; Everything After<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-1024x770.jpg\" alt=\"Annie Hailey (middle) with family at her undergraduate commencement ceremony.\" class=\"wp-image-14171 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-1024x770.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-532x400.jpg 532w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-1536x1154.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347-1568x1178.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/BV0A8347.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>In May 2023, Hailey crossed the stage after earning her B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Management.\u00a0<br><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduating, Hailey moved to the North Dallas area where she worked in finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It wasn\u2019t until almost two years after leaving Stephenville that she decided Tarleton State University was her forever home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think one of&nbsp; my greatest accomplishments has been leaving Stephenville to explore careers and opportunities but eventually moving back and working for the university. By doing this, I gave societal pressures, like moving to a city and working in corporate America, a chance, but ultimately realized I\u2019m happiest in our small town of Stephenville, where working in higher education truly overflows my cup,\u201d Hailey said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, Hailey works full-time here at Tarleton State University in the Division of Enrollment Management as an Email Marketing Coordinator.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn my role,&nbsp; I create communications that are going directly to the incoming class of freshmen! I think my time at Tarleton is what helps me most in my job. I know what incoming students want from our university because that used to be me,\u201d Hailey said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to working full-time. Hailey is continuing her education at Texas A&amp;M Mays Business School, our most esteemed sister school, pursuing her M.S. in Marketing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey at Texas Aggie football game.\" class=\"wp-image-14172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/131-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey standing in front of &quot;Gig 'Em&quot; wall.\" class=\"wp-image-14173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/132-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Annie Hailey with her mom outside of at football stadium.\" class=\"wp-image-14175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/133-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If Annie Hailey&#8217;s experience as a Tarleton State Texan tells us anything, it&#8217;s to truly appreciate each of life&#8217;s moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf I could give incoming students one piece of advice, I would tell them not to rush the experience. Life after college can wait, this chapter of your life can only happen once. These four years of your life at Tarleton State are going to be so special to look back on, soak up every memory. Tarleton is growing but there is still a sense of a small school on campus, running into the same people every day. You have so many similar opportunities that larger schools also offer but at a smaller scale which in my opinion creates a better experience,\u201d Hailey said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b0f7b06bac7a00390b8d9b231c2b3d5a\"><strong><em>Ready to start your journey here at Tarleton State University?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-tarleton-purple-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/\">Become A Tarleton State Texan <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cLife after college can wait, this chapter of your life can only happen once. These four years of your life at Tarleton State are going to be so special to &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":687,"featured_media":14166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":138,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni-series"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2026\/05\/Annie-Hailey-copy.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/category\/alumni-series\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Alumni Series<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Alumni Series<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 days ago","modified":"Updated 1 week ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026","modified":"Updated on May 8, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026 8:15 am","modified":"Updated on May 8, 2026 1:11 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14165"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14178,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14165\/revisions\/14178"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}