MPPA Welcomes Dr. Lynn Hanna as its new Interim Chairperson!

splitting her time with Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Lynn Hanna began as Assistant Professor at Sacramento State in 2009. Her discipline is Nutrition Science with an emphasis on the role of maternal nutrition in embryo development and fetal growth. She taught in the undergraduate program in Nutrition until she began her role as Department Chair in Family and Consumer Sciences in 2018. As Chair she had administered programs in Nutrition Food and Dietetics (including two accredited programs in Dietetics), Family and Consumer Sciences (a single subject pre-teaching credential), Family Studies and Human Development, Fashion Merchandising and Management, and associated minors. During this time she guided the faculty in dividing the Nutrition programs into their own department in 2024.

Beginning in spring 2025, she was assigned to the Dean’s office as faculty fellow in support of staff, faculty and student support. This was an interim appointment while the college did not have an Associate Dean through spring 2026. In this role, she guided department chairs in managing staff, faculty, and student matters. And she worked closely with the staff on operations of the SSIS Student Success Center for undergraduate advising.

Over the years, she has become proficient with university and system policies, and the application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. She has taken advantage of numerous opportunities for training and skill-building in leadership and personnel management. She is also practiced in mentoring junior faculty on their journeys to tenure and promotion, and supporting and acknowledging lecturers contributions to our programs.

She most enjoys the interaction with students, faculty and staff across our great institution. She values every opportunity to learn from faculty about their disciplines, scholarship and community partners. She feels really good when she can participate in helping students grow and develop to meet their own goals for careers and scholarship. She has witnessed the commitment and passion of staff on our campus and have her own commitment to their professional success and happiness in the workplace.