At 18, She's the Youngest to Earn a Master's Degree in UNT Dallas History

When Hana Taylor Schlitz was a newborn baby, she needed help. Her mother died shortly after she was born. Hana had an illness that wasn’t yet diagnosed. Her future was uncertain at best. Death was a distinct possibility.

“Had it not been for the family who adopted me and I hadn’t gotten the treatment I need, I would have died,” Hana said.

Help arrived in a way that Hana was too young to understand. Only later in life, as she grew into an inquisitive child with intelligence beyond her years, did Hana comprehend the magnitude of her rescue as an infant by her adoptive parents. And as she grew to understand it, one word kept coming to mind.

“I love helping people,” said Hana.

Making Progress, and History

Fast forward to 2026. Hana is in the final weeks of earning her master’s degree in Public Leadership and Administration. It’s an important achievement that will propel Hana toward a PhD program. She’s only 18-years-old. The youngest graduate degree recipient in the university’s history – a true Trailblazer.

"“Hana entered our graduate program at 16 and immediately distinguished herself with the preparation and drive to succeed at the graduate level," said Dr. Janiece Upshaw, associate professor and program coordinator. "She has developed a powerful passion for emergency services and a clear vision for her future. She is an exceptional, purpose-driven emerging leader, and it has been a privilege to mentor her.”

Originally from Ethiopia, Hana was placed in an orphanage following her mother’s death. William Schlitz and Dr. Myiesha Taylor, of Keller, Texas, adopted Hana and brought her home. Soon after, Hana was diagnosed with tuberculosis, the same illness that caused her mother’s death.

“Having TB made me more aware of the problems we have in healthcare,” Hana said sternly, referring to the United States and the rest of the world.

Educational Journey

Hana recovered and thrived. With public school education and home schooling, she accelerated through grades K-12, finishing high school at 13. Then, at 16, Hana earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Texas Woman’s University  – TWU’s youngest-ever graduate, surpassing her own sister, Haley, who held the distinction before Hana and later became the SMU’s youngest law school graduate. Hana is the youngest of three children in the Taylor Schlitz family. All three, including brother Ian, have excelled academically.

“Growing up the way that I did, education is really important,” she said. “Even though I’m a little bit younger, it doesn’t really matter right now.”

Hana’s UNT Dallas journey started in the fall of 2024 after enrolling in graduate school. Her Public Leadership program includes a concentration in Emergency Services Administration (ESA). It’s been the ideal curriculum for Hana’s career path.

“It made the most sense to me,” she said, while giving her father credit for finding the PLA ESA program. “I personally have really enjoyed it and the people I’ve met along the way.”

Training to Serve and Save

In fact, the annual Public Safety Expo, held on campus every October, proved to be Hana’s most memorable experience at the university, so far. The event is an opportunity for students to meet first responders and see their equipment and vehicles up close. It reaffirmed Hana’s commitment to a profession in which she can impact peoples’ lives, perhaps even save lives.

“That was really cool, Hana remembered. “I learned a lot from that day, and I still use a lot.”

To that end, Hana recently attended CERT training, which stands for Community Emergency Response Team. It means she’ll be empowered to assist in her hometown community, Keller, during a disaster or crisis. And soon, Hana will become an American Red Cross volunteer for similar situations. Both activities are separate from UNT Dallas and compliment what she has learned in her master’s program.

“So, if it was a tornado, we would have a designated meetup location, help with search and rescue, triage, do CPR, use an AED,” Hana explained. “It’s just really hard for me to sit back and do nothing” during a flood or other kind of disaster.

Sharing Her Story

Hana had the opportunity to share her deep desire to help others, and her TB survival story,  with the UNT System Board of Regents when they gathered at UNT Dallas in February 2025. As part of the Board meeting’s “Student Spotlight,” she shared her obstacles and opportunities and met two other students with unique stories of achievement.

VIDEO: Watch Hana’s Entire Message to the UNT System Board of Regents from 14:27-19:29 on This Clip

“My survival wasn’t just a medical miracle. It was the result of people and systems acting with purpose. But I know that for millions of others, survival is not guaranteed,” Hana confidently told the Regents and the audience listening intently. “I want to help build public health and emergency response systems that don’t leave people behind. At UNT Dallas, I am gaining the tools to understand these challenges and address them head-on.”

Over the past two years, Hana has also shared her experience across the state, including at World TB  Day in Austin, where she met with State Sen. Royce West. Sen. West has been a steadfast champion of UNT Dallas, and was instrumental in the state legislature's funding and construction of the university. Sen. West continually pushes for legislative and budgetary support to expand the university's resources.

The Power of a Role Model

Hana is well aware that she is a role model for Black girls, teens and college students. Her mother, an emergency room physician, was Hana’s and others’ role model. It’s a responsibility Hana doesn’t take lightly. She knows the powerful effect and how it can change a child’s or youth’s trajectory.

“It makes me so filled with joy that someone saw me and was like ‘I want to do that’ because I was able to do that,” Hana said. “It’s like a legacy.”

At UNT Dallas, her age hasn’t been an issue, in part because her classes have been online.

“Even though I’m a little bit younger, it doesn’t really matter right now. We’re all grown women and we’re just trying to so this class together and learn and communicate and do research,” Hana said. “I’ve been able to bond with my classmates. They really just saw me as a peer.”

Counting Down to Commencement

These days, Hana is finishing her Capstone, a collaborative project with classmates that compares two local nonprofits, Miles of Freedom and Redemption House. Both organizations assist people adjusting to society following incarceration. The aim is to reduce the number of repeat offenders and create stability in the former prisoners’ lives.

On May 12, 2026, Hana will cross the Commencement stage at Texas Trust CU Theater in Grand Prairie with her siblings, parents and grandparents proudly watching from the audience. Prior to Commencement, Hana will be honored at the graduate school hooding ceremony, a new experience she is a bit nervous about.

“I got my stole and I have my hood and I have my cap and gown and everything,” said Hana. “I’ve walked across the stage before, but the hooding part a just really crazy to me.” The hood will be presented by Dr. Janiece Upshaw, associate professor and program coordinator for the Public Leadership and Administration program, whom Hana considers a valued mentor.

She is grateful for her UNT Dallas experience. “I am more than pleased and satisfied, given how many things have opened my eyes,” Hana said. “I think it’s a really nice community. The graduate school professors are really nice, really communicative, always making sure you’re moving forward.”

Doctorate and Dreams

As for what’s next, Hana is researching PhD programs, with her eye set on one particular school out East. She hopes to start in the fall of 2027. Until then, Hana is applying for internships and jobs in the DFW area.

Beyond her doctorate, Hana sees herself in different kinds of roles as her career progresses. First, as part of a boots-on-the-ground disaster relief team going wherever she is needed and wherever the crisis demands.

“I want to be on the scene and help with disasters,” Hana said. “I really want to be able to give people the help they need where they need it, not necessarily sitting at an office or a desk.”

Later, as a leader, perhaps in government, using her experience and influence to set policy, allocate funding, and, ultimately, help more people. One job, especially, appeals to her. “I would really like to run FEMA. I think that’d be really cool,” Hana explained. “I think it’d be really amazing and really impactful.”

Whatever goal Hana sets for herself, she is likely to achieve it, including goals she hasn’t thought about yet – just like a true Trailblazer. “Having tuberculosis has made me more aware of the problems we have in healthcare,” Hana said with conviction. “I have passion and it can be put in a lot of different places.”