Dawn Hannah
About Dawn Hannah
Professional Title: Chief Program and Impact Officer
Dawn Hannah serves as the Chief Program and Impact Officer. She has continuously dedicated her professional life to enhancing the academic and personal success of out-of-school youth and adult learners since 1998. In this role, she leverages her extensive experience to drive impactful educational programs and initiatives.
Career Beginnings at Community College of Philadelphia
Dawn Hannah initiated her career at the Community College of Philadelphia as adjunct faculty. There, she taught ESL, GED, and developmental English courses. Her role involved directly engaging with students to improve literacy and language skills, setting the stage for her long-standing commitment to adult education.
Research and Project Management at University of Pennsylvania
Dawn Hannah contributed her expertise as a researcher and project manager at the University of Pennsylvania’s National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL). This role involved significant research responsibilities, likely focusing on literacy advancement and policy impact in adult education. Her work at NCAL enhanced her understanding of the systemic challenges and opportunities within adult literacy.
Roles at the Center for Literacy
Throughout her tenure at the Center for Literacy, Dawn Hannah held several key positions including In-School Youth Program Manager, Manager of Data Systems, In-House Professional Development Specialist, and Assistant Director of Education. These roles underscore her versatility and dedication to comprehensive educational program management, from youth programs to data management and professional development.
Director of Education at Community Learning Center
Dawn Hannah assumed the role of Director of Education at the Community Learning Center (CLC) in 2013. Later, in 2018, she expanded her responsibilities to manage CLC’s intake and student support teams. In this capacity, she oversaw critical aspects of student engagement and support services, aiming to optimize educational outcomes for CLC's diverse learner population.
Educational Background: Degrees from Georgetown and Stanford
Dawn Hannah holds a B.S. in Spanish from Georgetown University and an M.A. in Linguistics from Stanford University. She is one of the first in her family to achieve a postsecondary credential and was the only one to earn an advanced degree until recently. These academic accomplishments laid a strong foundation for her career in education and literacy.