Tina Harth

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Current Location: Chatham, IL

Tell us about your personal and professional journey.

My professional journey has been shaped by a combination of mentorship, curiosity, and a willingness to take calculated risks, all rooted in the lessons I first learned as a student-athlete at the University of Illinois Springfield. My career began as an intern with the Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program after a UIS Political Science professor encouraged me to apply. That opportunity opened the door to working in the Illinois Senate, where I gained a firsthand understanding of the political process and how critical issues across multiple industries and sectors move through government. My time at the Capitol was foundational, teaching me how policy, collaboration, and strategy intersect, and it inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration with the belief that state government would be my long-term calling.

While in graduate school, another passion continued to grow alongside my academic pursuits, softball. What started as a dream evolved into the launch of my own business, The Buck Fastpitch Academy. I recruited seven coaches, five of whom were fellow UIS alumni, and together we built a training facility that helped inspire a love for the game in more than 1,000 aspiring female athletes. Leading this business strengthened my entrepreneurial mindset and reinforced my belief in building teams, empowering others, and creating environments where people can grow. Even with that success, I felt there was still more to learn and more potential to unlock.

That desire to continue expanding my skill set led me to FrontlineCo, a public affairs and association management firm, where I served as Director of Marketing. In that role, I helped grow the company in both size and scope while stepping into a leadership position early in my career. The experience gave me confidence to innovate, think strategically, and bring creativity into business growth and team development. It was also during this time that I developed a strong interest in the engineering industry while working with several engineering clients, an interest that ultimately changed the direction of my career.

That transition came through the encouragement of my former UIS teammate and close friend, Brooke Brown, who was already working at WSP, one of the largest engineering firms in the world. Her mentorship and belief in me gave me the confidence to take another leap and begin a new career path. At WSP, I have found the perfect combination of everything I love, including competition, marketing, business development, innovation, and strategy. I have the opportunity to work on some of the world’s largest, most complex, and confidential infrastructure projects, and each day brings the same energy and excitement that once fueled me on the softball field.

Throughout every stage of my journey, softball has been the constant thread shaping who I am. From my playing days at UIS to more than 15 years of coaching, the sport taught me how to overcome adversity, manage my time effectively, lead with confidence, and compete with purpose. The adrenaline rush I feel on the field closely mirrors what I experience in my day-to-day role at WSP, competing, problem-solving, and striving for excellence in a fast-paced industry. Softball is the foundation of my leadership style and competitive mindset, and it continues to inspire me through coaching, from teaching private pitching lessons since 2011 to now coaching my oldest daughter’s 6U softball team.

Who or what has played a significant role in influencing or mentoring you?

Many people have played a significant role in influencing and mentoring me throughout my life, particularly through the game of softball. I have been fortunate to learn from countless coaches and teammates who pushed me to be my best, both on and off the field. My long-time pitching coach, Jim Greiner, taught me the value of tough love, accountability, and believing in my own worth, always knowing when to challenge me and when to build me up. My dad, who coached me throughout my career, has been my biggest cheerleader and one of my greatest mentors. He instilled in me the importance of giving 110 percent, not only to the game, but also to my career, my family, and my relationships. He also inspired my creativity and innovation and continues to be one of my strongest professional influences. I am also deeply inspired by three of my closest teammates from UIS, Brooke Brown (Carroll), Mallory Wescott (Beck), and Sarah Belcon (Gray). I have had the privilege of playing alongside them and working with them professionally, and I am inspired daily by the leadership they model. These women truly embody Leadership Lived and have motivated me to pursue opportunities where I can work alongside strong leaders in both coaching and professional environments.

What accomplishments or contributions are you most proud of—professionally or personally?

When I reflect on the accomplishments I am most proud of, both personally and professionally, my two daughters, Everleigh (6) and Emersyn (4), come first. Being their mom is my greatest joy and responsibility, and watching them grow, learn, and develop their own passions is the most meaningful accomplishment of my life. They motivate me daily to lead with intention, work hard, and model resilience, curiosity, and confidence in everything I do.

Professionally and personally, one of my proudest accomplishments has been the impact I have had through coaching and mentorship. Through my work with The Buck Fastpitch Academy, I have had the privilege of coaching hundreds of female athletes, many of whom have gone on to compete at the highest levels of college softball, build successful careers across a wide range of industries, and start families of their own. Knowing that coaching can inspire confidence, discipline, and belief that carries far beyond the field, and can positively influence an entire generation, is incredibly rewarding and something I hold close with great pride.

As a student-athlete at the University of Illinois Springfield, one of my most meaningful accomplishments was helping lead a relatively new Division II softball program to the National Tournament, a milestone that helped shape the future of the program and our team’s legacy. Being inducted into the UIS Hall of Fame alongside some of my closest friends and teammates was an unforgettable honor and a core memory that represents years of hard work, teamwork, and shared commitment. Those experiences, both on and off the field, continue to influence how I lead, mentor, and strive to make a lasting impact in my professional and personal life.

What goals, projects, or aspirations are you excited about for the future?

Looking ahead, I am energized by the ideas, opportunities, and impact still to come. My brain rarely turns off, and I am constantly thinking about new ideas, programs, and ventures that can make a meaningful difference. One area I am especially excited about is continuing to help shape and strengthen the youth softball community in the Springfield area and beyond. I am passionate about fostering a culture that builds young women up, challenges them to believe in themselves, and equips them not only to be strong softball players, but confident, capable, and impactful members of our community.

I am also excited to continue growing my involvement with the UIS Professionals Network. I see tremendous opportunity to deepen connections between alumni, students, and professionals, and to help create pathways for mentorship, collaboration, and career development within the UIS community. Staying connected to UIS has always been important to me, and I look forward to playing an active role in supporting its continued growth and engagement.

Additionally, I am eager to support the new UIS engineering program by providing industry insight and helping make meaningful connections across industry sectors. Bridging academia and industry is critical to preparing students for real-world challenges, and I am excited to contribute in a way that helps students, faculty, and industry partners succeed together. Whether through coaching, mentorship, professional leadership, or community involvement, I am motivated by the opportunity to continue learning, innovating, and creating spaces where people and ideas can thrive.

What advice would you share with other emerging professionals who want to make an impact in their field or community?

My advice to emerging professionals who want to make an impact is simple: be one step ahead and be proactive. Do not wait for opportunities to come to you or for someone else to make your dreams happen. Seek them out. Be curious, take calculated risks, make connections, and never underestimate the power of networking and building relationships.

I often hear people say they want to do something new or different, followed immediately by all the reasons why they cannot. My own career is proof that paths are rarely linear and that careers can pivot many times if you are willing to put yourself in positions where opportunities can find you. Growth happens when you stop focusing on why something might not work and start identifying why it should.

When you have a goal or a dream, break it down. Identify the reasons you want to pursue it, then map out the steps needed to execute it. Stay open to learning, be willing to step outside your comfort zone, and trust that momentum builds when you take action. The most impactful careers and contributions are built by people who show up prepared, stay adaptable, and are willing to take ownership of their future.

Outside of work, what activities, interests, or passions keep you inspired and grounded?

Outside of work, much of my time is spent on the softball field coaching and supporting young athletes, which continues to be one of my greatest sources of inspiration and grounding. Beyond softball, I have a true affinity for creating meaningful experiences. I love planning and hosting creative gatherings that celebrate important milestones, birthdays, holidays, and moments worth remembering. There is something incredibly fulfilling about bringing people together, designing an atmosphere, and creating memories that others will carry with them.

Creativity has always been an important outlet for me, whether it shows up in coaching, leadership, or event planning. The joy I find in building experiences that connect people is so strong that party planning might just be my next dream career someday, once I decide to step out of the corporate world. These passions keep me energized, balanced, and inspired, and they remind me of the importance of celebrating both the big wins and the everyday moments.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know as we celebrate you as a Promising Prairie Star?

As I reflect on being celebrated as a Promising Prairie Star, what stands out most to me is just how profoundly the University of Illinois Springfield and its people have shaped who I am today. UIS gave me far more than an education. It gave me confidence, perspective, lifelong relationships, and a belief in myself that I did not yet know was possible. From professors who inspired me to write, think critically, and fall in love with the political process, to the Capital Scholars Honors Program that challenged me to think outside the box and approach problems from entirely new perspectives, UIS continuously pushed me to grow.

Beyond the classroom, the coaches who believed in me, the supervisors who mentored me during my time working as a tutor at the Learning Hub, and the friends and teammates who became family all played an essential role in my journey. Many of those teammates stood beside me in my wedding party and remain my closest friends to this day, a testament to the lasting bonds formed here. UIS is where I learned how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to show up fully for others. This university and its community helped shape my values, my career, and my sense of purpose, and for that, I am eternally grateful.