Meet Kat Hanson, Admissions’ newest Enrollment Counselor

Finlandia is pleased to welcome new Enrollment Counselor Kat Hanson to the Enrollment team. Hanson comes to Finlandia University with an educational background from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Race & Ethnic Studies. Prior to accepting the position at FinnU, Hanson worked three years in the athletic department at St. Olaf. In her time working with Olaf athletics, she wore many hats including working under the Sports Information directors, running in-game social media and supervising home athletic events. 

“I would have to say my favorite part of my years at St. Olaf was crafting playlists and playing music at sporting events. There’s no better feeling than getting the entire hockey arena belting out John Denver’s ‘Take me Home, Country Roads’ at the home opener,” Hanson said. 

Although Hanson went to college in Minnesota, she is a Yooper through and through, having been raised in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

“I am thrilled to be back in the UP with a mind full of fresh and creative ideas to further shape our special community. Having the opportunity to work with young adults as they enter one of the most exciting times of their lives, and watching them grow into the person they are meant to be will be so inspiring,” Hanson said.

Other experiences that bode well to working with young adults pursuing an education at FinnU include a marketing internship with the Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Loppet Foundation provides year-round outdoor activities and education specifically focused on underserved communities.

“I had the incredible opportunity to work with their Development Director on creating stronger community ties to the North Minneapolis community–a community of mostly underprivileged minority families–through which the Loppet’s trail system runs,” stated Hanson. “I pitched an idea to create new positions on the foundation’s Board of Directors that allowed community members to sit on the board and voice their opinions of how their land was being used, as well as how the Loppet Foundation could partner with the community to serve, especially, the youth of the area.”

In Hanson’s spare time, some of her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, playing frisbee, and eating Culver’s ice cream while watching the sunset. She also enjoys finding new restaurants, playing guitar, crafting the best Spotify playlists and reading. She is currently working on a project researching the history of copper mining in the Keweenaw in relation to the indigenous population, and is always searching for more information!

Kat Hanson can be reached by email at kat.hanson@finlandia.edu, by phone at (906) 487-7208 or in-person in the admissions office at Nikander Hall 30.