Steven P. Dandaneau

Steven P. Dandaneau serves as Associate Provost at Colorado State University and Executive Director of the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU), providing national leadership for innovation in undergraduate education at research institutions. Previously, he held executive roles including Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at Kansas State University, Associate Provost at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and Director of University Honors Programs at the University of Dayton.

His educational background features a Ph.D. in Sociology from Brandeis University (1992) and a B.A. in Economics from Michigan State University (1986), where he was a first-generation Pell Grant recipient.

Dandaneau's research program integrates Higher Education scholarship with Social Theory and Critical Theory, specializing in first-generation student success, sociology of higher education, and community sociology. His work bridges classical sociological frameworks with contemporary challenges in undergraduate education, particularly focusing on equity-excellence imperatives in research universities. This dual emphasis manifests in both academic scholarship and creative fiction exploring academic life.

His publication trajectory reveals evolving engagement with sociological consciousness development, critical theory applications, and deindustrialization impacts, increasingly converging on undergraduate education innovation. Recent works demonstrate strong emphasis on first-generation student experiences and institutional leadership in higher education reform.

Scientific recognition includes:

• First Scholars First Generation Champion award (2018)

Dandaneau's academic leadership spans honors program direction, national consortium development, and advisory roles including the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success. His service integrates administrative innovation with scholarly contributions to educational equity. Current initiatives focus on advancing the Equity/Excellence Imperative through his Routledge book series and UERU consortium leadership.

He directs the UERU national consortium while contributing to Colorado State University's Sociology department relocation and revitalization efforts, maintaining active involvement in campus community building through departmental and university-wide initiatives.