A remarkable milestone has been achieved at the University of North Texas at Dallas, as 18-year-old Hana Taylor Schlitz has become the youngest-ever graduate of the institution’s master’s program. Schlitz received her master’s degree in public leadership and administration on Tuesday, solidifying her place in the school’s history.
This is not Schlitz’s first academic achievement; in 2024, she made headlines as the youngest person to earn an undergraduate degree from Texas Women’s University at just 16 years old. Her accomplishments are particularly poignant, considering her challenging beginnings—she nearly succumbed to tuberculosis as an infant, and now aims to make a difference in the field of disaster management.
“It’s honestly surreal being able to be in this position,” Schlitz shared in an interview. Her recent graduation marks another significant achievement in her young life, as she prepares to embark on a summer internship in Aviation Emergency Management and Communications at Dallas Love Field.
Schlitz’s academic journey has been a family affair, with a legacy of achievement. She surpassed the record set by her older sister, Haley, who graduated from TWU in 2019 at 16 years and 9 months, while her brother Ian completed high school at the age of 12.
Adopted from Ethiopia in 2008, Schlitz reflects on her past, attributing her success to the support of her adoptive family. “Luckily, I was adopted by an amazing family. My mother made sure that I got the care that I needed,” she stated. Inspired by her siblings’ accomplishments, she is determined to carve her own path.
Looking ahead, Schlitz is eager to pursue a doctorate degree and aims for a career in emergency disaster management or disaster science. She hopes to assist others in similar situations to the support she received during her early struggles. “The system made it possible for me to be here, and I want to make it possible for others to get the help that they need to make themselves a story—a shining light for their own people,” she emphasized.
Schlitz’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that one’s past does not define their future. “I didn’t let tuberculosis or my mother’s passing define me. I used it as motivation to get where I am today,” she concluded, embodying resilience and hope for a brighter future.
