Mari’Neisha Hardrick, a 2025 fall graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, is preparing to take the next step in her journey.
The UAPB Department of Multimedia Communication graduate — known for her passion for media justice, cultural representation, and community-centered storytelling — is leaving the university with a Bachelor of Arts from the UAPB School of Arts and Sciences.
At UAPB, she honed her voice, strengthened her purpose and learned the power of storytelling, according to a news release.
In fall of 2026, she will pursue a Master of Arts at the University of Alabama’s Graduate School, College of Communication and Information Sciences, Journalism and Media Studies.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Hardrick’s path to graduate school was shaped in part by her experience in the Strategic Graduate Partnerships Initiative Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at the University of Alabama in summer of 2024. The program partners with historically Black colleges and universities to build and strengthen pathways from undergraduate to graduate education.
During her time there, Hardrick received a stipend to research alongside graduate faculty and scholars in the College of Information and Sciences.
“I chose the University of Alabama for graduate school because I wanted to experience the institution as a graduate student, given my background,” Hardrick said.
“That summer repeatedly ignited my passion for change. Coming from an HBCU to a PWI (predominantly white institution) that once upon a time wouldn’t have let me in because of the color of my skin felt powerful. Alabama has a legacy of social change, and pursuing a communication degree in a place with that kind of historical weight made sense for the work I’m committed to.”
Her work focuses on media justice, representation and community storytelling — issues she says can no longer be approached at the surface level.
“The issues I care about — misinformation about minorities, erasure of community voices, underrepresentation in media leadership — deserve more than passion; they deserve expertise,” she said.
“Graduate school isn’t just about earning another degree. It’s about equipping myself to create media that protects, honors, and empowers marginalized communities.”
Hardrick’s academic record is marked by notable accomplishments.
She is the first student in UAPB history to graduate with a minor in Spanish, and in 2024, she was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support her study abroad experience in Costa Rica.
In spring 2025, she made her directorial debut with the documentary The Shine King at the DMMC’s Film Festival.
She was also scheduled to be honored with the Rising Star Award at the ninth Annual Black Empowerment Awards on Dec. 14.
Her acceptance letter from the University of Alabama emphasizes the exceptional opportunities ahead, noting she will “work and conduct research in world-class facilities with some of the best and brightest scholars.”
At UAPB, Hardrick has earned the respect of faculty and peers alike.
“Mari’Neisha has been an excellent student,” said Ann Y. White-Taylor, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Multimedia Communication.
“She has a clear goal in mind and does the work needed to achieve it. I am confident that she will excel in all her future endeavors. It has been a pleasure having her in my classes.”
As she prepares for this next chapter, Hardrick offers a message for her fellow students:
“Don’t wait for permission to take up space,” she said.
“We come from communities told to shrink, yet we still rise. Follow what you’re called to without apology. Use your education as a tool for change, not just a credential. Every room you enter, and every story you tell, opens doors — not just for you, but for the next person watching. Be bold, be loud, and carry your community with you into every opportunity.”
The university celebrates her achievements and looks forward to her continued impact on the field of communication.