CJ Hathaway: Listening First for a Stronger Hays

My journey to Hays began when I was five, a challenging time after my mother passed away. It was then that my sister and her husband, both finishing their degrees at FHSU, opened their home and their hearts to raise me here. Hays quickly became my home, shaping my formative years and instilling in me a deep connection to this community. I'm a proud graduate of Hays High, Class of 2002, where I began honing leadership skills as FFA NW District President and by serving as a drum major in the marching band. After high school, I continued my education at K-State, graduating in 2006.

After a brief stint in Lawrence I moved to Boston, Massachusetts where I met my husband, welcomed our daughter, and built a career as an experienced program manager for both higher education and technology companies. This work has equipped me with a unique skillset for strategic leadership. Additionally, my early leadership as Vice President of the Framingham Centre Nursery School board in Massachusetts further developed my abilities in community-focused decision-making and advocacy.

We made the heartfelt decision to return to Hays in 2024, embracing the opportunity to raise my own family in the community that gave so much to me. This homecoming is more than just a return; it's a testament to my unwavering belief in Hays' potential and a desire to contribute to its flourishing future.