Mary Priester-Hanks

Passionate about education, career coaching, and community impact, I specialize in guiding students—particularly those from underserved communities—toward meaningful college and career pathways. With experience in counseling, program development, and workforce readiness, I thrive at the intersection of equity, opportunity, and student success.

Currently, I lead initiatives that connect students with employability skills, postsecondary options, and career exploration opportunities. My work includes hiring and supporting college and career coaches, fostering partnerships with organizations like Ivy Tech and Inspire Success, and ensuring that students have access to valuable resources such as Indiana Career Explorer and 21st Century Scholars.

I am an education and career development professional with experience in school counseling, college and career coaching, and workforce readiness initiatives. My work focuses on creating equitable opportunities for students, particularly those from underserved communities, by connecting them with postsecondary pathways, employability skills, and career exploration resources. I have led initiatives such as hiring and supporting college and career coaches, implementing Indiana Career Explorer, and expanding access to the 21st Century Scholars program. Additionally, I foster partnerships with organizations like Ivy Tech and Inspire Success to enhance career readiness programs. My expertise lies in student support, program development, and strategic collaboration to bridge education and workforce opportunities.

I oversee initiatives that connect students with college and career opportunities by supporting the hiring and training of college and career coaches across multiple schools. I collaborate with organizations like Ivy Tech, Inspire Success, and ROI to enhance career readiness programs. My work includes expanding access to the 21st Century Scholars program, implementing Indiana Career Explorer, and developing strategies to help students demonstrate employability skills. I also facilitate partnerships, career fairs, and student-centered initiatives to bridge the gap between education and workforce opportunities.