Center for Healthy Minds

Laura I Rendón is a member of the Center for Healthy Minds Equity Advisory Council, an external body of world class scholars and practitioners who are invited to provide advice to the Center's community (leadership, researchers and staff) on all facets of work through the lens of equity, inclusion and diversity.

Rendón is Professor Emerita at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She is also affiliated with SpeakOut as a featured speaker at higher education institutions and conferences throughout the nation. Her presentations focus on topics such as student success, Latinx STEM students, deep learning experiences, self-care and healing.

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 thought leader. She authored the book, Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking Pedagogy): Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice and Liberation.  She has an extensive list of publications that include books, monographs, refereed journal articles and policy briefs. Among her distinguished appointments and recognitions include:

• Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute
• Member of the Board of Directors of the John N Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education
• Equity Advisory Council member, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Advisory Group, National Postsecondary Rural Research Agenda, Ascendium Education Group and SOVA
• Faculty Fellow, Center for Human Values
• Texas Diversity Council--awarded Rendón the title of being one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas
• University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center--recognized Rendón as one of the nation’s most influential Latina scholars
• The Arizona State University Chicano/Latino Faculty Association--created the Laura Rendón Scholarship Program for Latinx students.