Professor and internationally recognized scholar Kristen Renn has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. Since 2022, the distinction has recognized faculty who demonstrate exemplary scholarly achievement, teaching excellence and a clear alignment with MSU’s strategic research priorities — strengthening recruitment, recognition and retention of top academic talent across campus.
She will be recognized at the university investiture event held in Fall 2026.
Renn, a professor in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) program, has chaired over 40 doctoral dissertations, served on 95 dissertation committees and 92 doctoral guidance committees. She has been with the College of Education for 24 years. Renn’s research has driven equity initiatives in higher education for more than three decades.
A few of her remarkable achievements as a Spartan include:
- In 2010, Renn authored a pivotal article in Educational Researcher on LGBTQIA2S+ research in higher education and the integration of queer theory.
- As a graduate of the world’s oldest women’s college, Mount Holyoke, Renn broke new ground with her landmark research on female-only institutions of higher education. She examined the value of 13 colleges and universities across 10 countries, producing a book and numerous articles from her findings.
- Renn has secured approximately $5.6 million in external grants as principal investigator or co-principal investigator.
- Renn has authored or co-authored 43 peer-reviewed articles, 11 books and contributed 41 chapters in edited volumes.
- In 2018, Renn was president of the nation’s leading organization of higher education scholars, the Association for the Study of Higher Education(ASHE).
- In 2023, Renn organized a symposium focused on LGBTQIA2S+ and higher education research, attracting over 60 in-person attendees and more than 150 virtual participants. The symposium was hosted on MSU’s campus.
- For the past decade, Renn has served as the associate dean for undergraduate education at the university.
- In 2024, Renn received ASHE’s Mentoring Award for excelling in mentoring, fostering inclusivity, contributing to higher education and serving as role models of integrity and collaboration across diverse identities.
- In March 2025, Renn was named an American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow.