Two Spartans from the MSU College of Education were named in the inaugural class of Fellows for the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE).
University Distinguished Professor Ann E. Austin and University Distinguished Professor Kristen A. Renn were named in the first-ever class of honorees.
The ASHE distinction celebrates scholars “integrity, advancement of knowledge, mentoring, and service,” according to the ASHE website.
Austin and Renn were named among 25 scholars across the country.
Nomination criteria for the award include advancing knowledge through research, policy and/or practice, mentoring scholars and providing service to ASHE in various roles.
Austin previously served as ASHE president and received a Research Achievement Award from the organization in 2019. She was the first-ever scholar to receive the Promising Scholar/Early Career Award in 1989 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2003.
Renn was president of ASHE from 2018-19. She was the 2024 recipient of the Mentoring Award.
The Spartans will be formally honored during the 2025 ASHE Annual Conference from November 12-15.
Selected further reading:
More on Ann E. Austin:
Austin served as the college’s interim dean from 2021-2022. She became MSU's interim associate provost and associate vice president for faculty and academic staff affairs in 2022, and returned to the College of Education faculty in 2024. Among her other honors and accolades, Austin is an American Educational Research Association Fellow and was the inaugural Dr. Mildred B. Erickson Distinguished Chair in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education.
More on Kristen A. Renn:
In 2025, Renn was honored with several titles, including being named a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, MSU Red Cedar Distinguished Professor and MSU University Distinguished Professor. In 2024, she also received the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award. Renn previously served as the Dr. Mildred B. Erickson Distinguished Chair in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education.