Thriving Through Trials

PROVO, Utah – Dec 01, 2018 – From moving around the country in her youth to innovating as office manager at the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET) at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Maddie Hunt has blossomed in evolving environments throughout her life.

While earning a bachelor’s degree in human development from BYU, Maddie Hunt worked for BYU Marriott’s MPA office. After she graduated, she knew that she wanted to eventually come back. When the position of office manager at the CET became available, she jumped at the opportunity.

Since she started, Hunt says no two days have looked the same. From planning events to working with donors, she strives to make a difference every day on the job. One of her favorite responsibilities is working closely with CET student employees and with other students who bring projects through the CET. 

“These students are always thinking of better ways to do things and coming up with products that will make other people’s jobs easier,” Hunt says. “They’re thinking of the greater good and always trying to better themselves. They’re hungry to learn, evolve, and innovate.”

Hunt also enjoys working alongside the other staff and faculty in her office. The “family” environment at BYU Marriott gives her the support system she needs and her position enables her to grow personally and professionally. Because of this, she has the freedom to expand her job assignments and tackle new projects.

“My job is what I make it,” Hunt says. “My team gives me the flexibility I need, but I also have the freedom to take on extra responsibilities. I feel valued and like I’m making a difference.”

In addition to her hard work on the job, she has learned from personal trials. Hunt has Crohn’s disease. Though it is in remission, her body still works double-time to give her enough energy to make it through the day. She sees the positive in her situation and recognizes that faith has helped her grow stronger. “Christ suffered for my pain and my illness,” she says. “Knowing that He has felt the things I feel has helped me through the hard times. My testimony has grown through this struggle.”

Growing in hard conditions is not new to Hunt. She grew up in a military family and moved around the country every couple of years before ending up in Provo for school. Constantly being forced to start over helped prepare her to interact with all different kinds of people throughout her career.

“I learned how to make friends and get out of my comfort zone when I was young because I was always the new kid,” Hunt says. “Throughout life, we meet all kinds of different people, so we shouldn’t judge. We should accept everyone for who they are.”

Though she doesn’t know what the next challenge will be, Hunt is enjoying her time at the CET and is grateful for the opportunity to work at BYU Marriott.

“I thrive in environments where I can be productive,” she says. “I have that and so much more here. My team is a family. We love watching each other grow. I matter here, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”