Gainesville’s Pegeen Hanrahan Inspires UF Engineering Students as Leader in Residence

Gainesville, Florida – Pegeen Hanrahan, a Gainesville native and former mayor, returned to the University of Florida (UF) this week as the Fall 2025 Linda Parker Hudson Leader in Residence. The program connects industry, government, and higher education leaders with UF engineering students to discuss leadership and public interest engineering.

Hanrahan, who has a rich history with the university, shared her journey from an engineering student to an influential public official. She expressed her deep appreciation for the quality of students in the program. “This really makes my heart happy to see the future of engineering is in such good hands,” she said during a discussion with student leaders.

During her visit, Hanrahan emphasized the importance of leadership in engineering. “Don’t just go to class, look up,” she urged students, highlighting the problem-solving skills that a background in engineering can provide. Her own experiences as one of the few female engineering students in the late ’80s and early ’90s fueled her passion for public service.

As a Gainesville city commissioner, she played a key role in transforming 30 acres of contaminated land into Depot Park, showcasing her commitment to environmental improvement. This location was where the Leadership-in-Residence program commenced, marking a full-circle moment in her career.

In conversations with students and faculty, Hanrahan reflected on how her engineering background guided her work in public office. “Engineering taught me ways of thinking about problems,” she explained, emphasizing the need for accurate information and data-driven decision-making in politics.

Throughout her career, Hanrahan has worked with various states on public land initiatives, achieving a 94% win rate on state and local ballot measures. Her tenure as Gainesville’s commissioner from 1996 to 2002 and mayor from 2004 to 2010 is marked by significant public service, including leadership roles with the Florida League of Mayors.

Marking her influence in the engineering community, Hanrahan also serves on several boards, including the Alachua Conservation Trust and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at UF. She has received multiple accolades, such as the Women in Conservation award from Audubon Florida.

Fourth-year engineering student Sebastian Sobrino-Gonzalez, who attended one of Hanrahan’s sessions, praised her leadership. “She is a prime example of what leadership can do for you,” he said, reflecting the impact of her visit.