Lisa M. Nunn

Lisa M. Nunn is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of San Diego, where she has served since 2009. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from UC San Diego and directs the university's Center for Educational Excellence. Her research focuses on sociological dynamics of student belonging, campus culture, and equity in higher education, with emphasis on first-generation college students.

Education

• B.A. in Literature and Theater, Whittier College (1997)
• M.A. in Sociology, University of California, San Diego (2005)
• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, San Diego (2009)

Research Focus

Dr. Nunn investigates how institutional policies, teaching practices, and campus communities impact student belonging. Her work combines cultural sociology and organizational analysis to identify barriers to inclusion, especially for marginalized groups. She advocates for structural changes in higher education to foster equitable learning environments.

Her publications analyze faculty strategies for supporting student transitions and critique conventional 'get involved' approaches to belonging. Research themes include power dynamics in community engagement, heteronormativity in campus culture, and decolonizing pedagogical practices.

Awards and Recognition

• Award-winning author for 33 Simple Strategies for Faculty (2018)

Academic Leadership

She leads workshops nationwide on burnout, belonging, and trust in workplace communities. Directs USD's Center for Educational Excellence, developing initiatives for faculty development and inclusive teaching. Co-organizes annual community engagement programs in Makuleke Village, South Africa with USD students.