Hanna Lewis serves as the Director of the Disability Resources and Services office. She began at CU Denver in October 2023. Hanna has extensive experience providing reasonable accommodations and support for students with disabilities, as well as disability/accommodation support for her university partners. Hanna is a licensed social worker, Mental Health First Aid certified, and a Safe Space Ally. She is passionate about advocating for student needs and aims to provide a safe space for everyone in the CU community to be known, respected, and valued. In her free time, Hanna enjoys running, hiking, spending time with her French Bulldog named Roo, and writing music.
Q & A with Hanna Lewis:
Q: What do you love most about your job?
A: I love a lot of things about my job, but my favorite part is amplifying student voices. I want CU Denver to have an inclusive and accessible culture, and I believe the student perspective is most important when making a systemic change.
Q: Favorite Movie or TV Show?
A: Without a doubt, my favorite TV show is New Girl. I tend to rock a lot of stripes, love glitter, and am a dessert person, so Jessica Day is my TV show soulmate. Plus, I copied her hairstyle.
Q: Do you have any creative outlets or interests?
A: I really enjoy embroidery (see Jessica Day comparison above) and playing music. I also love to run, bike, and hike!
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in your field?
A: My first job out of college was as a residence hall director. I was getting my master's in social work with the intention to work for a disability non-profit after graduation. While in the residence director role, I developed a passion for student development in higher education. As graduation neared, I had to decide which field I would pursue. I really enjoyed higher education but also wanted to work in disability policy. I studied up on ADA and realized that I can do disability work in higher education. My two passions merged! I began working in a disability resource center and haven't looked back.