Abigail Hardwick, who is in her second year in Missouri State University’s Master in International Affairs (MIA) program, has been appointed to the Resolutions Committee of the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

Hardwick will serve a three-year term starting August 2026. The Resolutions Committee makes recommendations to the PTA Board of Directors regarding rescission, retention or amendment of current resolutions, she explained. “The committee also reviews new resolutions submitted by any PTA unit, region or state before recommending them to the PTA Board of Directors.”

The appointment is a volunteer position, Hardwick said. The committee meets monthly, but most of her work happens outside of the monthly meetings, she added.

Model UN experience creates opportunities

Not only is Hardwick working on her master’s in international affairs: she is also an active member of Missouri State’s Model United Nations team. In particular, her work with Model UN has given her both professional experience and the kinds of networking opportunities that led to the PTA national committee.

Hardwick was nominated for the committee by Missouri State alumnus Dr. William Datema. Currently, Datema serves as president of the national PTA. In addition to having graduated from Missouri State, Datema is also a fellow Model UN alumnus. Since he was a past member of the Missouri State team, Hardwick kept in touch with him.

“Datema knew my experience, and during networking, I guess I had made an impression,” she said.

With her Model UN experience, Hardwick feels well-prepared for her role as a PTA committee member. “My tenure has been a great way to fully understand resolution writing,” she said. “I am really excited to use that experience to go over these important documents and make the best outcomes for our students.”

Long history with PTA

Hardwick already has a long history with the PTA. Inspired by her mother, she first became involved in her local PTA as a high schooler in Oklahoma. By the time she met Datema at an Oklahoma State PTA conference, she had already served as a conference volunteer for six years.

Now, as a PTA committee member, Hardwick will gain experience in both policy analysis and advocacy. “Advocacy is my passion,” she said. “I have always wanted to work in advocacy, lobbying and politics.”

In particular, she wants to advocate for public school children. “I am a public school student, born and raised. To be able to use my voice to help these kids means so much to me.”

Perfect complement to MIA studies

The PTA committee position complements her studies in international affairs as well.

“I became invested in international politics because I know how important politics is in our day-to-day life,” Hardwick explained. “It affects everyone, and lobbyists strive to bring up issues that politicians seem to forget.”

Hardwick came to Missouri State for its accelerated MIA program, which is housed in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. She was able to begin graduate work while earning a bachelor’s in anthropology and a minor in religious studies as a result. “I now have this amazing base where I can take culture, religion and politics together.”

She encourages students to explore the MIA program’s career options. “I would say it is one of the most intelligent moves they could make and one that they will not regret.”

Meanwhile, eager to put her own graduate studies and Model UN experience to work, Hardwick is ready to learn from her new role as a national PTA committee member.

“My goal is to make people’s lives better, wherever that may be,” she said. “Everyone deserves to have their voice listened to, and my dream is to make sure those voices are heard.”

Study international affairs @ Mo State

Photo credits: Lynn Lansdown

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