Dr. Ivana K. Hanson
New Majority Learner expert, K–20 education policy researcher, and equity strategist.
- ▸ Ed.D., Educational Leadership (Higher Ed), UNC Wilmington
- ▸ M.A., TESOL, American University
- ▸ B.A., Political Science, Tulane University
- ▸ Certified Equity Coach, NC Community Colleges
- ▸ Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer
About
Two decades of expanding who gets to succeed.
My career is built on a dedication to students and the opportunities they deserve. I've spent more than 25 years across classrooms, community colleges, and statewide systems expanding access for adult learners, students of color, English language learners, and other New Majority Learners, making sure education reflects their strengths, identities, and lived experiences while removing the barriers that stand in their way.
As REACH Collaborative Coordinator for the North Carolina Community College System, I managed a multi-year, Lumina-funded statewide grant that increased BIPOC enrollment by 30% over three years and expanded access for more than 500 adult learners annually. As a college director, I managed budgets over $500,000, secured more than $1 million in grant funding, and built a nationally recognized HSE Boot Camp with an 87% completion rate.
My doctoral research, REACHing Adults, and my forthcoming Emerald book chapter, Data as Colonization, sit at the intersection of scholarship, practice, and systems change. I bring that same rigor to every client, framing evidence for policymakers and practitioners alike, and centering learners as the architects of their own futures.