Sara Hanson

Experience

• 

  Edgewood College

  Jan 2013 - May 2021

  • Awarded $450,000 gift and developed program to increase participation in internships by students currently underrepresented in these experiences, and to enhance the educational experience of participating students through internships in a variety of work settings, with a focus on small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits.• Partnered conscientiously and enthusiastically with partners on and off campus to ensure success and positive trajectory of students to ensure they continue to better our community.• Developed curriculum and taught internship preparation course to assist students in developing career readiness skills and strategies to explore and obtain an internship, quadrupling enrollment in the third term taught.• Built effective and efficient policies and procedures to support students, faculty and community partners in internship experiences to ensure campus-wide resources.• Initiated and implemented new technology of online career management systems (from Purple Briefcase to Handshake) to best serve students, and developed the platform to utilize the resource to the fullest potential, including assessment and workflow structure. • Co-facilitated two-year NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) grant through the Council of Independent Colleges to more deeply and explicitly integrate vocational and spiritual development into all aspects of the student experience at Edgewood through intentional partnerships across the college.• Trained professionals in career development theory and practices to support students in their individual exploration of their personal and professional path.• Combined academic advising, learning support and career services to create the Academic Success and Career Development Center which equipped students with the tools to be academically successful while exploring and developing their career goals. Show less • Provided strategic vision, leadership, supervision, assessment and on-going improvement for comprehensive career and outreach services for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni. • Collaborated enthusiastically in the Engaged Learning Stewardship Group with key faculty, staff, alumni, and employers to develop a shared vision and strategic plan to accomplish this vision; including career development and participation in internships and other engaged learning programs. Participated in the Marketing subcommittee to generate stories to promote opportunities to students and community partners. • Provided leadership for: the creation of an inclusive climate for students, parents, alumni, and employers; the development of experiential learning opportunities; the integration of technological tools to enhance service delivery and the expansion of employment services. • Developed innovative services and programs that met the changing needs of students and alumni. • Built and sustained a caring, supportive, and inclusive community. • Fostered students’ personal awareness, appreciation of others and the development of skills to succeed in a diverse, global society. Show less •Led, developed and delivered comprehensive student internship, career development, and student employment services in support of students’ educational, occupational and personal growth.•Initiated semester Career Week programming, a series of workshops, discussions, career fairs, and interviews to generate conversations and motivate students in their career trajectory by interacting with alumni and community partners.• Implemented the Internship Community of Practice with faculty and staff to share best practices, identify needs of internship programming, and build policy and structure to support internship experiences. •Created International Internship Program in collaboration with the Center for Global Education - an inventive study abroad program to allow students to complete their required internship oversees. Resourceful in applying for Annual Trustee Opportunities Fund scholarships for participating students to promote participation.•Consulted with employers regarding optimal marketing strategies to connect students to internships and jobs and to collaborate on events and workshops.•Worked closely with advisors and school-specific internship coordinators to streamline the internship process for employers, faculty, staff, and students.•Oversaw marketing and technology (contact management system, social media, and website) and communications for the current students and alumni.•Provided statistical analysis for programs and student outreach for end-of-the-year reports and budget records. Show less

  • Director of Career Development

    Jul 2016 - May 2021

  • Interim Director of Career Services

    Jul 2015 - Jun 2016

  • Career Services/Internship Coordinator

    Jan 2013 - Jun 2015
• 

  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  May 2021 - now

  In this role, I work to develop a unit within the Talent Acquisition team, Talent Pathways. I am responsible for creating and maintaining an overall roadmap for talent pipeline/pathway programs at UW-Madison, including accelerating the growth of the existing Job Rotation Program, identifying the needs for new programs for targeted positions, and linking pathway programs to career path requirements for critical positions. I serve as the point of contact for campus pathway programs and ensures the pipeline/pathway strategy is well understood by key collaborators and is an aligned effort with other talent acquisition strategies. I partner with HR leadership to develop and implement recruitment strategies, and report to the Director of Talent Acquisition within OHR.The most important part of my work is forming, strengthening, and maintaining relationships with campus partners and community members. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Identifies needs and recommends improvements to leadership regarding HR matters such as workforce performance and competency gaps, organizational structures, compensation discrepancies and assists with the development of training plans and mitigation strategies as needed• Develops, strengthens, and maintains relationships with functional (HR, Finance, IT, etc.) leadership across the university to advance broad pathways objectives, including apprentice, intern, and rotation programs• Identifies strategic partners across the community and build tools to facilitate partnerships• Establishes process to identify data utilized in ongoing needs assessment of hard-to-fill recruitments and campus forecasting• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives• Audits the unit budget and approves expenditures• Exercises supervisory authority for employees Show less The Job Rotation Program celebrates and supports our differences. We know a team rich in diverse thoughts, perspectives, and opinions allows us to thrive. We build a community where we value the celebration of success, growth, open-mindedness & consideration of others, support, trust, communication, and vulnerability. The program consists of four integrated components - meaningful work, community, mentoring, and training and development. It is a prime example of the Wisconsin Idea - taking your skills and education to better our society. In my role I collaborated with amazing colleagues across campus to welcome future leaders and support them in their personal and professional development. • Responsible for framework, design, and evaluation of program as well as recommendations for long term sustainability• Committed to equitable and inclusive talent acquisition practices• Supervised cohort participants and create and utilize formal and informal assessment tools for on-going communication in order to develop and support program employees• Manage effective communication with stakeholders on progress and impact of program• Defined the overview, expectation and success measures for each assignment in collaboration with site supervisors• Oversaw focused professional development for rotation participants Show less

  • Director of Talent Pathways

    Jan 2023 - now

  • Job Rotation Program Manager

    May 2021 - Dec 2022