Dr. Hanus graduated as valedictorian of her class from Henderson High School and then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln majoring in Nutritional Science. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry and graduated Cum Laude in 2004. While in optometry school she was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa and Gold Key Honor Societies as well as the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. She also completed an externship at the Omaha Eye and Laser Institute.