Leininger, Brandy L.

Dr. Leininger has been in the field of higher education for over 21 years. Her roles have crossed over multiple departments, including adult education, internship and career management, alumni engagement, workforce development, and enrollment management. Her most recent position before joining the KU team had been Director of Student Success for Graduate and Adult Education at Alvernia University, as well as adjunct faculty for First Year Seminar.

Her passion for student success derives from helping students' sense of belonging on their college campus, and she strives to make every student she works realize that their dreams are in reach, even if their pathway looks different than they originally imagined.

Dr. Leininger recently completed her doctorate research, Persistence Factors of Latinx College Students at Four-Year Private, Predominantly White Institutions. Her quantitative research study at three schools in Southeast PA showed that students valued encouragement from their family, validation from faculty and staff, and self-responsibility to complete their degree "no matter what" life throws at them as a commitment to continuing their college enrollment.

Ed.D. in Higher Education, Immaculata University
M.A. in Educational Leadership, Adult & Higher Education, University of South Dakota
B.S. in Spanish, Millersville University

Student success
Retention
Latinx college student persistence
Belonging