Shannon A. Hanson, Ph.D.

Shannon A. Hanson is the Director of Strategy and Implementation at the Center for Leadership at Florida International University (FIU).

In this role, Dr. Hanson leads the strategic planning initiatives and oversees the administration of all programs at the Center. She is responsible for managing the Center’s K-12 education programs and partnerships, including program development and the cultivation of new relationships with school districts and partners. Additionally, Dr. Hanson identifies and fosters strategic partnerships, creating new opportunities for both public and private sector clients.

Dr. Hanson earned her Ph.D. in Public Affairs from Florida International University in 2023, where her research focused on leadership within public education and more broadly public sector leadership, LMX, LLX, and adaptive leadership. She also holds an MBA in Human Resource Management (2011) and a BBA in International Business (2007). Dr. Hanson is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Dr. Hanson has presented at prominent conferences, including the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration, the Carnegie Foundation Summit on the Improvement of Education, and Learning Forward Florida. She has also served as a speaker and panelist for various education organizations, including The Wallace Foundation and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Prior to joining the Center in 2011, Dr. Hanson worked as a government contractor with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and gained experience in the private sector, including law, training and education, and government consulting.