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MY BEYOND THESE TOWERS STORY

Beyond These Towers

The Campaign for Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Craig Hansen ’98: WPI was a Life-Changing Experience

March 20, 2023

Ever since his youth, Craig Hansen ’98 had a strong technical sense. As the child who was always taking things apart to see how they worked, it wasCraig '98 and Leanne '98 Hansen no wonder he was accepted to WPI and went on to earn a degree in electrical engineering. Hansen applied the theory and practice he gained at WPI to a very successful career in technical support for a networking equipment manufacturer. And today serves as Director of the Enterprise Project Management Office at Aspen Technology in Bedford, MA, where he leads a team accountable for successful planning, performance, and outcomes of critical corporate initiatives.

Reflecting on his WPI journey, Hansen says, “I was drawn to WPI by its small size, project-centric approach, and numerous opportunities to learn outside the classroom. The professors and staff were engaged partners in my WPI experience, and it always felt great to be able to walk in, sit down, and have conversations with staff members and be seen not as ‘just a student’ but as a valued member of the community.”

While on campus, one of Hansen’s goals was to be an active member of the campus community. He achieved his goal by serving as an officer in Lens and Lights, QuadFest, and SocComm, the student representative on the Faculty Committee on Student Advising, and as a representative on the Organizational Class Finance Committee (OCFC). Hansen also freelanced as a web designer for Financial Aid, Admissions, and the former Interdisciplinary & Global Studies Division (IGSD), before being hired by WPI’s Web Development Office through the work-study program.
Explaining how his WPI experience continues to impact his life, Hansen shares, “WPI’s project-based approach to learning is what I continue to carry with me in my career and daily work. At WPI I learned to take a pragmatic approach to problem solving. I learned how to assess a situation and research potential solutions, and systematically weigh the likelihood of success with each option. Additionally, WPI has made me more risk tolerant in the sense that I know how to calculate the impact risks may have on a particular situation, allowing me to make more informed decisions and be prepared for a myriad of potential outcomes.”

When asked about the most valuable experience or lesson learned at WPI, Hansen says, “The most valuable campus experience for me was being around people who supported me and helped build my confidence early on. I also learned how to put myself out there and take risks. When I entered WPI, I was a strong introvert who found it very difficult to speak in front of people or walk up to someone and strike up a conversation. Through my involvement in various activities at WPI, I grew out of my shell. It’s no exaggeration to say this was life-changing for me. But by far the most valuable experience I had at WPI was meeting my wife, Leanne (Stackpole) Hansen ’98.”

Ever-mindful of the need to give back, Hansen dedicates a significant amount of time to various projects in his local community. For one such project, he envisioned leveraging a former school building in the center his town as a hub of community arts, education, and recreational opportunities. The town awarded his non-profit a long-term management agreement, and today, the program is serves hundreds of community members daily.

Theory, practice and impact Beyond These Towers… Well done, Craig.