He received a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Duke University, later studying at The University of Texas at Austin, where he received his M.F.A. in film production along with a minor in drama. Van Hanken recently founded C.H.A.M.P., the Center for Health, Arts and Measurable Practices at TU, which seeks to support and promote art projects that target specific community health indicators. A native Tulsan, Van Hanken is currently at work on a number of short and feature-length film projects.