Feb. 22, 2022

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Brittany Hanson, director of alumni relations and annual giving at the University of Sioux Falls.

Name: Brittany Hanson

Age: 31

Hometown: Gillette, Wyoming

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

In 2009, I was recruited by the University of Sioux Falls music department and moved over 500 miles from my small hometown in Wyoming to this big city. I remember being nervous to drive with so many lanes and finally getting a chance to parallel park!

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I love Sioux Falls! It is the perfect balance of Midwest charm and big-city opportunities. There is never a dull moment — new restaurants, shops and arts/entertainment options are constantly popping up, allowing us to be tourists in our own city. My husband and I have made this our home, and we have so many friends here I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

The people. There is just such a special culture at USF that is community-focused and inviting. Even with so many departments on campus, both academic and administrative, people are collaborative and have a desire to serve each other. The students feel it too and play a large role in creating the inviting community that is USF. One of my favorite things about my job is all the alumni I’ve gotten to know. They truly have the best stories — some are similar experiences shared among many and show the connection we all share, others are quirky and hilarious, and some are incredibly meaningful and touching. Every day I feel so blessed to be surrounded by incredible servant leaders that inspire and support me.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I joke that after I graduated from USF, I never left! But that’s the truth. I immediately became the fine arts public relations and technical coordinator, and it was as if the position was created for me — it suited all my strengths. People, creativity, storytelling, communication, coordination and organization. Four years later, I moved buildings and changed titles, but I still use those same strengths. I suppose the short answer is that my connection to my industry started the day I stepped on campus in 2009.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Faith. Family. Community.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

This question is hard because I’m a pretty open book. I guess I’ll go with the fact that I’ve visited almost as many different countries as I have states in the U.S. My current count is 16 countries and 19 states. The wildest things I’ve done while traveling: skydiving in Minnesota and bungee jumping in New Zealand when I backpacked there for a month.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Mentorship. There are so many different ways to get plugged in and make a difference by simply building a relationship. I’ve previously mentored through LSS, and this year I am excited to be a mentor through Rise Up, an art mentorship program that pairs youth artists in the community with an art mentor.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

There are already fantastic professional theater and dance companies in Sioux Falls, so it feels like an equity theater is the next step for the arts community. This type of theater would certainly have an audience because the support of arts is so incredible in Sioux Falls — it’s one of the reasons I love living here! Plus, there is so much local talent that would then stay here and would draw even more talent to Sioux Falls.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Five years seems like a long way down the road because, well, we all know how much can change in such a short time. But overall, I see myself building deeper relationships and meeting more people. I see myself performing, traveling, supporting causes we care about, creating more memories with my husband and expanding our family.