*Graduates, Guests & Visitors, please note the 2 ceremony times and ensure you attend the correct one for your graduate. 

Nation Hahn serves as Managing Director at the John M. Belk Endowment, where he leads strategic initiatives at the nexus of education, workforce development, and community resilience across North Carolina. In this role, he provides direction for the Endowment’s effort to strengthen talent pipelines. He co-directs Good Jobs WNC, the long-term recovery and workforce development initiative in Western North Carolina. Nation cultivates partnerships with community colleges, state agencies, employers, and philanthropic peers to align efforts, mobilize resources, and deliver measurable impact.

As co-founder of EducationNC (EdNC), the statewide nonprofit news organization launched in 2015, Nation spearheaded fundraising and strategic partnerships that secured over $17 million in support for the organization. He developed an innovative approach combining theory of change, leadership development, and immersive “go and see” experiences for philanthropists and policymakers. The efforts built deep relationships with local leaders across every region of North Carolina.

At EdNC, Nation led the organization’s postsecondary and community college coverage, authoring the award-winning Awake58 newsletter. His commitment to understanding North Carolina’s educational landscape firsthand has taken him to all 58 community colleges in the state, many on multiple occasions.

Throughout his career, Nation has held numerous leadership and board positions addressing education, housing, and food insecurity. Southern Living magazine recognized his impact by naming him a Southerner of the Year in 2016.

Raised in Western North Carolina, Nation brings deep roots and statewide perspective to his work in education, workforce development, and community building. Having visited all 100 North Carolina counties and every community college in the state, he’s always happy to swap stories about the best barbecue, hidden gems, or anything else North Carolina.