Laura Rendón specializes in college preparation, persistence, and graduation of first-generation students. She is co-director of the Center for Research and Policy in Education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Texas in San Antonio.
A native of Laredo, Texas, Rendón’s passion is assisting students who, like her, grew up in poverty with hopes and dreams. Rendón is credited with developing the theory of validation, which colleges and researchers have employed as a framework for working with and affirming low-income students. The Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking) Pedagogy emphasizes student development.
She is also a co-editor of Transforming the First Year of College for Students of Color; Educating a New Majority; Introduction to American Higher Education; and Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Higher Education ASHE Reader.
A former Board Chair of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, she focused on providing access to college for low-income students. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Further, Rendón has designed the yearly Latino/a Student Success Institute for the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education.
The Laura Rendón Scholarship from the Arizona State University (ASU) Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association is named after Rendón. The renowned educator served as a professor for eight years in ASU’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
As a mentor and active member of ASU’s Chicano/Latino faculty community, she taught graduate-level courses on cultural pluralism in education, professional and student diversity in Higher Education. She was also a member of the Research Faculty with the ASU’s Hispanic Research Center.
Each year, the Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association pays tribute to her leadership; character and academic excellence by awarding three students whose academic merit demonstrates these same virtues that will impact the Chicano/Latino community.
The ASU Latino Partnership Scholars are comprised of the Si Se Puede Foundation, Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., ASU Hispanic Business Alumni Association, and Los Diablos Alumni Association.
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