2026 Graduate Spotlight: Hanna McMenamin
Hard Work, Heart, and a Calling to Teach
For Newtown resident Hanna McMenamin, success at Bucks County Community College came through determination, discipline, and a growing passion for helping others learn.
Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, the early education major was able to juggle working nearly full-time while attending college and completing her fieldwork. This helped her discover that teaching was more than just a career – it was her calling.
“During my time at Bucks, I balanced school with nearly 30 hours a week of managerial responsibilities at my work while also completing fieldwork in elementary classrooms, which helped confirm my passion for teaching,” said Hanna.
Hanna says she chose Bucks because of its supportive environment, while being close to home where she could receive support from her family. In addition to immersing herself in her studies, she also got involved on campus, earning accolades for both her scholarship and leadership.
“One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was being involved in Phi Theta Kappa and being named to the All-PA Academic Team, which also awarded me a full-tuition transfer scholarship,” Hanna recalled. “I was also honored to receive the Delta Kappa Gamma for Women Educators Mae Light Grant-in-Aid Scholarship, and the Dual Admission Scholarship for transferring to West Chester University.”
Throughout her time at Bucks, Hanna said the encouragement she received from faculty mentors made a lasting impact. She expressed particular gratitude to Dr. Charles Beem, the faculty advisor to PTK, and Professor Kate D’Auria for their support and guidance.
“What I loved most about the college was the strong sense of community and the number of opportunities it gave students to grow academically and personally,” noted Hanna.
After graduating with her Associate of Arts degree, Hanna will attend West Chester University to continue studying Early Childhood Education as she pursues her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
“Earning this degree means a lot to me, and it represents all the hard work and dedication I have poured into reaching this milestone,” she said.