Dr. Brett Bruner Ed.D.

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Education with emphasis in Higher Education Leadership, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS, April 2017. Dissertation:  The Impact of a First-Year Learning Community on First-Generation Student Academic Success & Persistence
• M.S. College Student Personnel Administration, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO, May 2008
• B.S. Business Administration, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS, May 2006

• Manning-Ouellette, A., Moore, T. L., & Bruner, B. L. (Eds.). (2021). Recalibrating civic learning and democratic engagement across higher education. New York, NY: New Directions for Higher Education: Wiley Press.
• Baumgartner, L. M., Bruner, B. L., & Nichols, K. N. (2019). The benefits and challenges of peer mentoring in a professional development opportunity based on the assessment, evaluation, and research competencies. College Student Affairs Journal, 37(2), 155-168.
• Bruner, B. L., & Nichols, K. N. (2019). The perceived roles of parents and family members of first-generation college students on transition. NASPA Knowledge Community Publication, 61-64.
• Witkowsky, P., Obregon, V., Bruner, B. L., & Alanis, J. (2018). Connecting familisimo and higher education: Influence of Spanish language parent and family member orientation programs on Latinx family involvement and sense of belonging. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education. Doi: 10.1177/1538192718810429
• Bruner, B. L. (2009). Cultivating future growth: Developing emerging leaders programs. Connections: The magazine of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, 2(5), 18-19.

• 2023-Present, Assistant Vice President for Student Success & Persistence                    Wichita State University
• 2021-2023, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs: Enrollment Management/Dean of Students Missouri Western State University
• 2022-2023, Doctoral Adjunct Faculty Member Baker University
• 2018-2021, Dean of Student Engagement Arkansas Tech University
• 2015-2018, Director of Transition & Student Conduct Arkansas Tech University
• 2012-2015, Director of First Year Experience/Persistence & Retention                                    Fort Hays State University

NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

2018 National Technology Emerging Practice Award – Technology Knowledge Community

2018 National Research Grant – Parent & Family Relations Knowledge Community

2017 National Outstanding New Program Award – Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community

2019 Region IV-West Campus Based Literature/Research Award

2015 & 2019 Region IV-West Innovative Program Awards

2015 & 2017 Region IV-West Campus Based Literature/Research Award

2016 Region IV-West Mid-Level Professional of the Year

2015 Region IV-West Campus Based Video/Computer Software Award

2014 Region IV-West #NASPAgives Grant

NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education

2015 National Norman K. Russell Doctoral Scholarship Recipient

2014 National Innovative Program of the Year

2012, 2014, 2015 & 2017 Region IV Innovative Programs of the Year

2018 Region IV & V Publications & Media Showcase – Outstanding Use of Theme

2014 Publications & Media Showcase – Outstanding Publication for Special Populations (mid-size institution division)

2013 Publications & Media Showcase – Outstanding Orientation Handbook (small school division)

ACPA: College Student Educators International

2018 National Student Success Award – Latin@/x Network

2018 Research Grant – Commission on Student Involvement

2017 Outstanding Program Award – Commission on Admissions, Orientation & FYE

• Authored and administered a $10,000 Serve2Succeed grant from the Kansas Campus Compact to support mentoring and volunteer engagement as a persistence and retention tool.  Baker University
• Authored and administered a $15,000 Serve2Succeed grant from the Kansas Campus Compact to support mentoring and volunteer engagement as a persistence and retention tool.  Baker University
• Authored the successful $3,000 grant application from Swipe Out Hunger to support the establishment of the Student Manager position for the Campus Cupboard. Missouri Western State University
• Secured a $10,000 grant from Missouri Eliminate Tobacco Use Initiative to support the implementation of the Griffon Tobacco Free Student Ambassadors role in supporting campus-wide tobacco-free policy. Missouri Western State University
• Authored and managed a $30,000 grant from Missouri College & Career Attainment Network and Complete College America to integrate career advising early for BILPOC and Pell-eligible first-year students.  Missouri Western State University
• Designed and implemented a $10,000 grant from Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation to support nontraditional students seeking to skill up with a microcredential with book scholarships and childcare vouchers.  Missouri Western State University

NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Member, National Assistant/Associate Vice President (AVP) Steering Committee (2022-present)

Member, National President’s Implementation Committee for Indigenous Engagement & Inclusion (2022-present)

Co-Director, 2023 NASPA National Power & Place Symposium (Lawrence, KS)

Member, 2023 NASPA National Mid-Level Administrators Conference (Kansas City, MO)

Early Career Development Institute Co-Coordinator, NASPA Small Colleges & Universities Division (2022-2023)

National Co-Chair, Orientation, Transition, & Retention Knowledge Community (2019-2022)

South Central Regional Lead Advisory Institution Representative, Center for First-Generation Student Success (2020-2021)

National Chair, NASPA Excellence Awards Program (2018-2021)

National Advocacy Group Member, Center for First-Generation Student Success (2017-2021)

Lead Advisory Institution Representative, NASPA Lead Initiative on Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement (2016-2018)

Founding National Co-Chair, Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement Knowledge Community (2016-2019)

National Area Awards Coordinator, NASPA Excellence Awards Program (2015-2018)

National Member Engagement Coordinator, Parent & Family Relations Knowledge Community (2013-2014)

Faculty Member, 2016 National New Professionals & Graduate Student Symposium (Indianapolis, IN)

Chair, 2021 Region IV-West Conference (Virtual/Tulsa, OK)

Pre-Conferences & Major Speakers Co-Chair, 2017 Region IV-West Conference (Lincoln, NE)

Region IV-West Representative, NASPA Public Policy Division (2018-2020, 2023-Present)

SERVE Coordinator, Region IV-West (2017-2020)

National Association for Campus Activities (NACA)

Advisors Week Coordinator, 2022 National Virtual Summer Series Program

Traditions Week Co-Coordinator, 2021 National Virtual Summer Series Program

Coordinator, 2011 National Student Government-West Institute (Denver, CO)

Coordinator-Elect/, 2010 National Student Government-West Institute (Golden, CO)

Volunteer Development Coordinator, 2012 Central Regional Conference (Tulsa, OK)

NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education

Member, National Board of Directors (2010-2013)

Chair, 2015 National Conference Committee (Denver, CO)

Educational Initiatives & Events Coordinator, Region IV (2017-2020)

Chair, National Ad Hoc Committee on Educational & Strategic Partnerships (2016-2017)

National Webinar Coordinator, Graduate Student Network (2012-2013)

National Chair, Small College Network (2008-2010)

State Coordinator, Kansas (2008-2010)

Chair/Lead Faculty Member, 2018 National Retention Symposium (San Diego, CA)

Faculty Member, 2017 National Retention Symposium (Louisville, KY)

Lead Faculty Member, 2017 Region IV Returning Orientation Leader Institute (Dallas, TX)

Faculty Member, 2014 National Graduate Student Symposium (Orlando, FL)

Pre-Conferences & Extended Sessions Chair, 2011 National Conference (New Orleans, LA)

Graduate Staff Chair, 2010 National Conference (St. Louis, MO)

Chair, 2010 Region IV & V Conference (Overland Park, KS)

Professional Experience & Engagement Chair, 2019 Region IV Conference (Fayetteville, AR)

Awards, Volunteers, & Poster Sessions Chair, 2018 Region IV & V Conference (Overland Park, KS)

Battle of NODA Chair, 2012 Region IV Conference (Oklahoma City, OK)

Two-Year College Liaison, 2011 Region IV Conference (College Station, TX)

Chair-Elect, 2009 Region IV Conference (Arlington, TX)

Associate Member Liaison & Sponsorships Chair, 2008 Region IV Conference (Fayetteville, AR)

Chair, 2010 Kansas State Conference (Wichita, KS)

Co-Chair, 2009 Kansas State Conference (Emporia, KS)

Arkansas Student Affairs Association

President (2019-2020)

President-Elect/Chair, 2019 Arkansas Partners for Student Success Conference (Hot Springs, AR) (2018-2019)

Past President/Nominations Chair (2020-2021)

Chair, 2019 State Spring Drive-In Conference (Russellville, AR)

Faculty Member, 2018 State New Professionals Institute (Hot Springs, AR)

AHEPPP: Family Engagement in Higher Education

Pre-Conference Institute Co-Chair, 2018 National Conference (Louisville, KY)

Chair, 2017 Kansas State Conference (Lawrence, KS)

Kansas Student Affairs Conference

Chair, Conference Advisory Committee (2016-2018)

Chair, 2009 State Conference (Baldwin City, KS)

ACPA: College Student Educators International

Coordinator of Membership & SSAO Relations, Senior-Level Community of Practice Directorate Board (2023-present)

Member, ACPA Senior-Level Community of Practice – Dean of Students Institute (2023-present)

Scholarly Journals & Publications Boards

Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Technology and Higher Education (2023-present)

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education (2022-present)

Editorial Board Member, Journal of First-Generation Student Success (2022-present)

 

Editorial Board Member, Essentials: E-publication of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (2022-present)

Editorial Board Member, Learning Communities Research and Practice Journal (2018-2020)

Reviewer, Journal of Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship (2020-2021)

Reviewer, Teacher-Scholar: The Journal of the State Comprehensive University (2017-2018)