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Hannah Colbert ’13, ’17G came to Salem State University planning to become a teacher. After enrolling in sociology courses, her path began to shift. She became interested in how people experience the world and how systems shape those experiences.
“I realized I wanted to do something broader,” said Colbert. “Something that combined research, creativity and community, and could contribute to meaningful social impact.”
The Sociology Spark
Sociology became the foundation for Colbert’s academic and professional journey. Her courses strengthened her critical thinking, research skills and ability to understand perspectives beyond her own.
Faculty mentorship was central to her experience. Professors including Pamela Leong, Tiffany Chenault and Geertje Wiersma encouraged her to apply what she was learning in real-world settings. A course on death and dying, along with classes in social inequality and research methods, expanded her understanding of the human experience, while a public speaking course helped her build her confidence and find her voice.
Experiential learning further defined her time at Salem State. Through an internship with LifeBridge North Shore, Colbert worked directly with vulnerable populations, connecting classroom learning to real-world impact. In a grant writing course, she developed the idea and proposal for the Seeds of Hope garden project, which was successfully awarded grant funding, while gaining experience in community-based work and collaboration.
Encouraged by mentors, especially Dr. Jonathan Lukens, she decided to continue her education at Salem State, pursuing a Master of Social Work degree to deepen her ability to support individuals and communities.
She discovered yoga as a student, practicing in her residence hall and attending nearby community classes. “Yoga started as a way to connect with myself and my friends, but it quickly became something much bigger,” she said. Colbert completed her yoga teacher training, an experience that would later become central to her career.
Deepening Knowledge, Deepening Practice
During graduate school, Colbert integrated her social work training with her passion for yoga, focusing on trauma-informed practices through internships, research and clinical work. She also traveled to Rwanda through a course connected to Salem State’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies program. Alongside Professor Robert McAndrews, she engaged in community-based learning at Agohozo Shalom Youth Village, an experience that strengthened her commitment to culturally responsive care.
Colbert’s career spanned nonprofit work, program development and clinical practice, including group facilitation and telehealth services. She taught yoga in hospitals, shelters and community settings, focusing on accessible and inclusive approaches. “Those fields are really about understanding people,” she said. “They help you look beyond surface-level problems and think about what individuals and communities need.”
Her entrepreneurial path grew from this work and a desire to create a space rooted in those same values. She founded Dóchas House of Yoga, a name derived from the Gaelic word for hope. “I wanted to create a space that prioritized accessibility, community and care,” she said.
Based in Salem, Dóchas House of Yoga reflects both her personal journey and her professional training, combining trauma-informed yoga with a strong commitment to inclusivity. Colbert also teaches yoga and meditation in hospitals, community centers and other settings across Boston and the North Shore, focusing on making these practices accessible to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including those who may not have felt welcome in traditional wellness spaces.
Community Comes Full Circle
Colbert remains closely connected to Salem State, collaborating with faculty, mentoring students and offering trauma-informed yoga through university-linked initiatives. She has also been an active participant in Alumni Weekend, hosting events at Dóchas House of Yoga that bring together graduates and community members around wellness and connection. “Salem State gave me so much support and so many opportunities,” she said. “Staying connected feels like a way to pass that forward.”
Her advice to current students and fellow alumni reflects the lessons she has carried throughout her journey. “Do not be afraid to be seen trying,” Colbert said. “It can feel vulnerable to put yourself out there, but that is where growth happens. Find community, stay open to feedback and trust that your perspective has value.”
From her first sociology class to founding her own business, Colbert’s journey demonstrates how curiosity, mentorship and commitment to community can shape a career centered on connection, healing and hope.