Shattering the Deficit Narrative: Supporting Student Success at UC Merced
At the beginning of every semester, the Division of Student Affairs at UC Merced hosts the divisional colloquium with the intent of gathering to participate actively in a discussion on a central topic that supports our shared mission to advance the university’s commitment to Student Success by providing support, guidance, and resources that equip students with the tools to successfully accomplish their academic, career, and personal goals.
The word “colloquium” is derived from the Latin meaning “to talk together.” The word conveys a conversation that is both structured and informal, a meeting of minds that is both serious and spirited. This Fall’s Division of Student Affairs Colloquium will continue to expand on our divisional knowledge and understanding of asset-based language and will feature Dr. Laura Rendón as the keynote speaker.
Supplemental Reading:
Revisiting Validation Theory: Theoretical Foundations, Applications, and Extensions
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Laura Rendón
Laura I. Rendón is Professor Emerita at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She is also an educational consultant and featured speaker at over 100 higher education institutions and conferences throughout the nation. Her presentations focus on topics such as student success, Latinx STEM students, and sensing/thinking deep learning experiences, as well as self-care and healing.
A native of Laredo, Texas Rendón’s passion is ensuring that the nation’s educational system fosters success for all students, especially those who are low-income and first generation. Rendón developed “validation theory,” an asset-based student success framework that has been employed to frame research studies and programmatic activities in two- and four-year colleges and universities.
Rendón is also a teaching and learning theorist and thought leader. She is the author of the book, Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking) Pedagogy: Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice and Liberation (Stylus, 2009), as well as numerous publications focusing on student success and contemplative education.
She is a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, a member of the Board of Directors of the John N Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education and former Fellow of the Fetzer Institute. In 2013 the Texas Diversity Council awarded Rendón the title of being one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas.
Rendón’s personal archives are a part of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas-Austin, one of the premier libraries in the world focused on Latin America and Latinx Studies.
Rendón is co-editor of three books released in 2017-18:
The Latino Student Guide to STEM Careers
New Directions in Hispanic College Student Assessment and Academic Preparation
Hispanic College Students Move Forward: Policies, Planning and Progress in Promoting Access
Past Colloquium Documents:
2021 Student Affairs Spring Colloquium
2020 Student Affairs Fall Colloquium
2018 Student Affairs Winter Colloquium
