A Q&A with Fulbright College Honors Program’s Mary Ellen Hartford

Mary Ellen Hartford
Administrative Specialist III and Office Manager,
For the Fulbright College Honors Program

In this conversation, Hartford talks about how much she loves working with bright students and seeing them succeed, creating a nurturing and caring community in the Fulbright College Honors Program office for the past 17 years, working and singing with the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir, and looking forward to new adventures ahead.

Q: Tell us a little about your research, academic passions and/or role within the college. What excites you about this?

I’ve been in the same role for 17 years; Administrative Specialist in the Fulbright College Honors Program.

Fulbright College is such a vibrant group of people to work with, and I really enjoy getting to know them better.

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I came to the Fulbright College Honors program in June of 2002.

As office manager, I take care of Sturgis Fellowship funding, departmental budgets, Honors Thesis paperwork, Sturgis Study Abroad Grants, and coordinate the Honors Council, matching them with students for successful thesis defenses.

The thing I like most about what I do is working with bright students and seeing them succeed!

Q: What do you most hope your students or colleagues remember from their classes and/or interactions with you?

I hope that our students take away memories of a nurturing and caring community here in our office.

I try to make sure that each student is comfortable with his or her time here and are looking forward to new adventures ahead.

It’s been wonderful seeing what some of our former students have accomplished. I feel like we have a really strong team here.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

In my time away from my desk, I love to sing and work with our choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. I’ve sung there for 17 years and have enjoyed every minute.

I also love cooking, baking and reading.

Now that the children are grown, my husband, Hershel, and I enjoy relaxing and keeping up with what the children are doing.

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you?

Up next on the horizon is finishing my work here and retiring in the next four years or so.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

I want to make sure that our students continue to receive the caring and supportive atmosphere we have here in our office!