Hayley Madl ’21

When Hayley Madl ‘21 began her studies at Pitt-Bradford, she had no idea her future would include in-depth exploration of Indigenous history and culture, a role as a podcast producer, and eventually a career in military intelligence.

But in just a few short years after graduating, she is living proof of the many possibilities a single college degree can unlock.

While studying history and political science at Pitt-Bradford, Madl jumped at the chance to become a research intern at Pittsburgh’s Fort Pitt Museum. The museum’s exploration of the region’s Indigenous history sparked Madl’s interest in Indigenous history and inspired her to dive into studying Indigenous treaty rights.

While at Pitt-Bradford, Madl’s professors encouraged her to view her degree and knowledge as flexible tools. She recalls a poignant bit of advice from Dr. Stephen Robar, associate professor of political science.

“I remember Dr. Robar telling us we’d change careers multiple times in our lives, and there was nothing wrong with that,” Madl said. “In the moment, I thought, ‘Not me!’ But now, I’m absolutely eating my words.”

Following her passion for history, Madl enrolled in a PhD program at George Mason University studying digital and Indigenous history, but her studies and talents weren’t limited to research.

Madl was soon working in the recording studios of R2 Media on George Mason’s campus. As a podcast producer, she edited and contributed to such history-related podcasts as “Worlds Turned Upside Down,” & “Your Most Obedient; Humble Servant,” and the upcoming “Finding Jane Austen.”

“Podcasting lets me blend my love of history with creativity,” she explains. Translating her research into audio storytelling brings history to a wider audience, fulfilling her goal of making complex and important ideas more accessible.

And soon, Madl’s career will take yet another turn. In early 2025, she will ship out to basic training to become a foreign language specialist with the U.S. Army. As a foreign language specialist, she will get intensive training in a specific language that is vital to military intelligence efforts. She doesn’t choose the language, but she hopes it will be Russian.

Madl explained that the sudden career shift came as a surprise. However, after experiencing significant burnout from her doctoral studies, she decided to put her studies on hold and take a chance on a new path.

Because, as Professor Robar told her, a college degree is a tool that can be used to forge many paths and inspire many opportunities in life.