Midland native finds fulfillment working in the nonprofit sectorNovember 12, 2024

Midland native Hunter Haynie grew up in the nonprofit world.  His mother Kathleen Kirwan-Haynie worked in the Permian Basin nonprofit sector and is now executive director of Senior Life Midland.  So, in the summer of 2023 when Hunter had the opportunity to join United Way Midland as the Community Engagement coordinator, he said it felt like a “natural fit.”

“Midland is home, and working for United Way allows me to work with and help people in my hometown in order to make the community a better place to live, work and play,” Haynie said.

Haynie is a product of MISD.  He attended Fannin Elementary School, San Jacinto Junior High and graduated from Midland High School in 2017.  During high school, he was a defensive tackle on the Bulldogs football team.

“When I graduated from high school, I didn’t want to go to college, but my mom told me to go to Midland College for one semester to give it a try,” he said  “I really just enrolled to placate my mom.  I never thought I would continue taking courses at MC for two years and then transfer to Texas Tech.  Midland College built my confidence, and I not only learned study skills, but also gained some common sense.  I liked the environment and discovered that I had potential to go to college and earn a degree.”

In fall of 2019, Haynie transferred to Texas Tech University, and in May 2022 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations & Strategic Communications Management.  

“The whole transformation to becoming a good college student didn’t just happen overnight.  I had to study hard and really concentrate on my college courses,” he said.

A month after graduating from Texas Tech, Haynie said his life came full circle when Midland College hired him as an admissions advisor.    

“As an admissions advisor, I was able to help students who were like me—those who felt like they weren’t college material,” he explained.  “My advice to incoming college students then and now is ‘get started, whether you take one class or five.  Be realistic with your goals, but keep going as far as you can imagine.’

“While I was working as an admissions advisor, I visited with a variety of students—those who wanted to pursue a transfer route like I did and those who wanted to learn a skill for immediate employment.  I hope that I was able to give them the encouragement they needed to discover their potential and start the journey toward a fulfilling career.”

Haynie said that he has found his own fulfilling career working for United Way Midland.  As the Community Engagement coordinator, he facilitates training for the community and other nonprofit agencies.  He also manages Project Blueprint, a professional development program targeting future community leaders.  In addition, his responsibilities include advocating on behalf of United Way Midland and the Midland nonprofit sector with local officials.

Haynie volunteers at various Midland nonprofit agencies including Senior Life, the Boys and Girls Club and the Alzheimer’s Association.  He currently serves on the leadership team for the Midland College Alumni and Former Students Association.

This past June, Haynie married his high school sweetheart Peyton, who is a first-grade teacher at Greathouse Elementary School in Midland.  The couple enjoy spending time together with their dog Chance, a 7-year-old rescue Border Collie mix.  While Hunter runs approximately four miles a day, Chance prefers to spend his time with Hunter on the couch watching sports, especially football.  Their favorite team is the Houston Texans.