HFC welcomes Hannah Doederlein, program advising specialist

School has always been a special place for Hannah Doederlein, the new Program Advising Specialist for Human Services.

“I am a strong supporter of lifelong learning. I enjoy working with students from all walks of life,” said Doederlein, of Wyandotte. “My mom earned her associate degree when my siblings and I were young. I always think about her when I work with students who are parents and caregivers. I’m passionate about equitable access to education and ensuring students have support to reach their goals. It’s an honor to be a part of that journey.”

“College was life-altering for me”

Born in Carleton, Doederlein is the middle of three children. She is a graduate of Airport High School in Carleton and attended Saginaw Valley State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in health science. Doederlein earned her master’s degree in college student personnel administration from the University of Central Arkansas, where she was a residence coordinator.

“I had an impactful experience in my undergrad days,” she said. “I learned just as much outside of the classroom as I did inside it. My worldview was drastically broadened. I made amazing connections with faculty, staff, and peers, and became involved in the campus community. College was life-altering for me, and I wanted to be a part of that experience for future students.”

Doederlein began her career in the nonprofit sector, where she worked for two years before moving into higher education. She joined HFC in late 2024.

“Hannah brings a strong commitment to student success and a passion for equitable access to education,” said HFC Director of Advising Jennifer C. Markin. “Her experience in both higher education and nonprofit work makes her a great addition to our team, and we’re excited to have her here supporting our students.”

Invigorated by the student success mindset at HFC

Doederlein's duties include:

• Advising students in human services-related fields, including pre-education, social work, criminal justice, and fitness leadership.
• Helping students understand the courses they should be taking, referring them to campus resources, and helping them graduate and pursue their next goal, whether it’s entering the workforce or transferring to a 4-year university.
• Working with faculty to ensure students receive the most relevant and accurate program information.
• Developing strategies to support student success.

Doederlein spoke about what attracted her to HFC.

“I was excited to work with the population of students at HFC,” she said. “I have learned about some great initiatives to put student success at the forefront of our practice. There’s an innovative mindset here, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to be a part of it, while being empowered to make changes to better serve students. I have the support to implement strategies to make students’ experiences more positive. The folks I work with, whether they are faculty or staff, are amazing. Everyone here at the College has a common goal of helping students move onward and upward to their next goals.”