Shana Hines Selected as New HR Director

Although the Human Resources department has been lacking an essential “human” ever since Director Kate Anatone departed this winter, the Academy has hired Shanna Hines to fill the posi- tion beginning this June.After a nationwide quest for a new Director of Human Re- sources, the administration decided that the highly qualified Hines would be an excellent fit for the school’s environment.“From a large pool of highly qualified candidates, we have hired Shanna Hines, currently the Director of Human Resources and payroll at the D.C. campus of Johns Hopkins University,” Principal Hassan said in an email to faculty and staff. “She will report to CFO David Hanson and will be a member of the Princi- pal’s Staff.”Along with Hines’s Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting from Howard University, her impressive experience and former positions at Dartmouth College and Harvard Univer- sity made her an obvious choice for the position.“We will benefit from Shanna’s 15 years of experience in employee relations, organizational development and compliance issues at several higher education institutions, nonprofit organi- zations, multi-state corporations and union facilities,” the email from Hassan read.Despite the fact that Hines has been interested in working at the Academy for many years, only recently did a chance to join PEA come about.“I worked at Dartmouth back in early 2000, and when I left Dartmouth the position for Director of Human Resources was open,” Hines said. “Although I was interested in the position, I had already accepted a position at Johns Hopkins University and I could not apply.”But when the distinguished directorship spot became avail- able this winter, Hines jumped at the opportunity to become a member of the Exeter community at last.“I have always thought it was a cool position and have been fascinated by Exeter and the caliber of education it provides, so this go round, I was really interested in applying,” Hines said. “Once I went through the process of applying and received an of- fer, I did not want to pass on the opportunity to become a leader at an academic institution like Exeter.”Since Exeter’s Human Resources Department has been well- led and developed over the past years, Hines will work to build upon the foundation that has been laid by past leaders when she arrives on campus this summer.“I am going to aim many conversations and objectives of Human Resources around diversity, inclusion, sustainability and opportunities for faculty, students and staff to do community service in and around the Exeter community,” Hines said. “In addition, I look forward to working with the Dean of Faculty on issues that involve faculty and their desire to engage more with students, as well as ways to bring the community closer so that Exonians and faculty can learn from one another.”Now that she has secured the position, Hines is looking forward to early June, when she begins work, for the start of a great career at Exeter.She said, “When I applied, I wanted to see if what Exeter was looking for was what I had to offer, and through everything it became clear that I can be successful as the leader of Human Resources and be a part of some- thing that is important personally and professionally.”As a leader, Hines aims to guide Human Resources in a way that helps people and improves the Academy to enhance the community as a whole.“It is an honor and privilege to be the new Director of Human Resources, but I have to be someone who understands everyone and make sure people's’ needs are met; for Human Resources that involves the hiring of staff and pursuit of Exeter’s academic mission,” she said. “I need to make sure I am serving leader that people can come talk to and work collaboratively with while also facilitating conversations and solutions for issues present in a way that moves the Academy forward.”