Ivana Hanson is finishing up her role as the Adult Learner Specialist and Coordinator of the NC Racial Equity in Adult Credentialing in Higher Education (REACH) project. 

Ivana started her education career in the District of Columbia Public schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the inaugural class of DC Teaching Fellows. While teaching K-12 full-time, Ivana always also taught adult education (ESL, ABE, HSE) courses in both Maryland and NC-including for 7 years at Nash CC. Ivana transitioned to a full-time position at Nash as the Career Pathways and Transition Coordinator for the College and Career Readiness Department, where she helped establish certified Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing and Healthcare and then was hired as Director of the department. 

Ivana holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with an International Relations concentration from Tulane University and a master's degree in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from American University. She also holds a Community College Leadership certificate from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she is a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership planning to graduate in May 2025. 

Ivana is thrilled to be both a CREED Fellow and an Elevate NC Fellow this year and is looking forward to expanding her community of advocates for equity in higher education.