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Last week, CU Denver colleagues celebrated the life of Dr. Jarrod Hanson who passed away on January 25, 2025, after battling cancer that chemotherapy could not treat. Dr. Hanson, taught undergraduate and graduate classes in social studies methods, social foundations and cultural diversity, as well as immigrant and family law and policy for the School of Education & Human Development, and was the chair of CU Denver’s Faculty Assembly from 2021 to 2022. He is being remembered as a lifelong learner, a compassionate voice for social justice and humanity, a strong advocate to friends and those needing support, and a man of diverse talents.

Lifelong Learning and Teaching

A passion for learning emerged early in Hanson’s life. For example, he devoured encyclopedia volumes during road trips with his family. His passion for learning eventually led to a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship and three college degrees: a bachelor's degree in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Denver; a law degree the University of Chicago where he served as the executive editor of the University of Chicago Legal Forum; and a PhD in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Hanson mentioned in a faculty biography page that his arrival to the field of education in some ways felt like coming home. “I have educators in my family, with my father working as a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools, and my sister as a middle school teacher,” he said. “When I finished college, I went another way and pursued a career in law. That path took me to Cleveland, Ohio, where I worked with an amazing group of colleagues in the field of public finance. During that time, however, I spent time each week tutoring middle school students in math and science (and showing them that lawyers can like math and science – and find those subjects useful!). These experiences reminded me of how much I enjoy teaching. After four years of the law, I decided to become a teacher.”

Hanson loved teaching because it meant that he could be surrounded by thoughtful and talented people who cared deeply about students. He was a founding faculty member of the progressive Denver Center for International Studies, originally located at West High School in Denver Public Schools, where he taught numerous social studies courses and mentored hundreds of high school students in their journey. After the completion of his PhD, Hanson joined CU Denver where he quickly became a treasured colleague. In addition to teaching, he served as a site professor in both Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools collaborating closely with administrators, mentor teachers, and teacher candidates as they developed their skills as future educators. He was an active scholar throughout his career publishing numerous articles and book chapters primarily on issues related to school segregation for Mexican Americans, and co-authoring a seminal book, The Other American Dilemma: Schools, Mexicans and the Nature of Jim Crow, 1912-1953 (Suny Press, 2021). The book was even featured on Colorado Public Radio.

Hanson’s kind but assertive leadership style was experienced across higher ed administrative teams, and CU Denver’s school and colleges, while he led CU Denver’s Faculty Assembly, committees, and initiatives. “He leveraged his deep knowledge to lead in beautiful, powerful, and really sweet ways,” said Marvin Lynn, Dean of the School of Education & Human Development. “He is being remembered for his unwavering passion and commitment to social studies education, the democratic and civic purposes of education as well as the critical history that must never be lost about the education of Mexican students in the United States.”

“During his time at CU Denver, countless numbers of teacher candidates came under his care and wisdom and incredible coaching,” said Cindy Gutierrez, director of clinical teacher education and partnerships at CU Denver. “The way that he worked with our teacher candidates was unwavering, quiet, but with a solidified commitment to making sure that our students didn't shy away from what is hard and complex about our history. He taught them how to bring that to life in really thoughtful, critical, and supportive ways in classrooms.”

Charlie Merrow, director of Special Education at Denver Public Schools, studied with Dr. Hanson for many years and had this to say about his commitment to students: “Jarrod was a transformative and grounding mentor and friend throughout my journey in the School of Education and Human Development—as an instructor, site professor at George Washington High School, and later as my PhD advisor. During the dissertation years, Jarrod provided invaluable guidance and support through our weekly meetings, IRB hurdles, navigating data collection during the pandemic, data analysis, dissertation writing, revisions, defense, submission, and ultimately, graduation and hooding. Jarrod was there with me through it all. The dissertation process during the COVID-19 pandemic was a journey, but having Jarrod as my advisor made all the difference. His calm and supportive energy, steadfast commitment to educational equity, and unwavering support kept me grounded.”

A Healing Presence in the World: A Man of Quiet Dignity and Integrity

Dr. Hanson will be remembered for the hospitality he demonstrated in his professional life and in the nonprofits and individuals he served in his free time.

“While he was a private person, Jarrod had a keen ability to pull everyone together to move forward together,” said Barbara Seidl, associate dean of teacher education and undergraduate experiences at SEHD. “Jarrod’s humility and his unwavering ability to do the right thing was truly remarkable.”

On a typical Saturday, he spent time volunteering at HIV Carelink and nonprofits serving asylum seekers and immigrants. In all cases, he saw value in every single individual and treated all with value and respect.

Dr. antwan jefferson, friend and colleague of Hanson and associate dean of inclusive excellence and associate teaching professor in SEHD, experienced some great conversations with Dr. Hanson, often around a meal because Jarrod loved good food. “When invited, he shared his humanity and fullest sense of self,” said Jefferson. “The integrity with which he approached his life, is something that all of us should strive to emulate. And, I would just say, one of the things that I will hold onto about Jarrod is that he understood how to pay attention to the moment. And, so, when we'd be having a meal and if the moment for him called for sadness, he showed that. If it called for joy, he showed that. If he was experiencing pleasure, he would let you know.”

Diverse Passions in Life

Those who worked and studied with Dr. Hanson may not have realized the breadth and depth of his diverse passions in life. First and foremost, he was completely devoted to his wonderful wife Amy of 27 years, who is also a beloved chemistry teacher at East High School in Denver Public Schools. Many may not know that he was a gourmet chef, a recipient of 20 awards for the beers he brewed, a hiker and traveler, a stargazer, a museum and history buff, a loyal friend to many, and a wise teammate in trivia who never rushed to give the correct answer.

Teacher Education faculty members will be nominating Dr. Hanson for emeritus faculty status. In the meantime, we send condolences to his wife, family, friends, colleagues, students and former students.

If you choose to give a gift in memory of Dr. Hanson, please consider donating to CU Denver’s Loving Lynx Emergency Fund which he selected as a purpose that was dear to his heart.