Dawn Rendell

Dr. Rendell is Assistant Dean for Student Success and Community Wellness at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. She believes students thrive when they feel a sense of belonging, know how to access resources, and are supported in overcoming challenges. Her work focuses on student success and retention through collaborative initiatives that promote well-being, foster community, and remove barriers to achievement. Drawing on her training in student life research, she uses assessment to better understand student needs and to guide meaningful change. She has partnered across the university to create supportive environments where students feel seen, connected, and empowered. In addition to her administrative work, Dr. Rendell has chaired honors thesis projects exploring college student success and engagement, allowing her to mentor students as they contribute to improving the college experience for their peers. She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy, Research, and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her dissertation focused on student stress, involvement, and problem-solving self-efficacy.