SNHU Spotlight: Business Administration Graduate Tiare Hazen

It was a busy five-year journey for Tiare Hazen ‘23, but in 2023, she crossed the finish line and received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Hazen began classes when she was 19. Requiring flexibility, due to her schedule, she chose SNHU’s online program.

“What’s really nice is that SNHU’s classes ... (are) so accommodating that it’s easy to accomplish other things while you’re in the program,” said Hazen.

And Hazen certainly had other things to accomplish. During her time at SNHU, she gave birth to three children and enrolled in a fire academy and EMT program.

“I was able to take time off for each one of my pregnancies,” said Hazen. “And what’s really nice, too, is that I can do classes at my own (pace) so it did not interfere with my firefighting academy or the EMT program.”

After receiving her degree, Hazen said she was happy to be an inspiration for her children. As a first-generation college student, she said graduating and being a role model for her family meant the world to her.

Graduating with such a diverse crowd of students, she said, also was important to her.

“My father is from Puerto Rico. My mom’s from Chile, who’s an immigrant,” said Hazen. “So, it means a lot being able to see all the different people here today.”

Having traveled from Michigan, Hazen said arriving at SNHU’s Commencement ceremony was nerve-wracking. But she also said she was excited to finish her long journey, with her family by her side.

“I hope to show my family that everything I did throughout this SNHU program was for them,” she said. “I’m happy that they’re here today and I can be that inspiration for them.”

Abigayle Mahnken is a writer from South Carolina, who is currently earning her master’s in creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.