Presenter Bio - Brianna Ridenour

Brianna Ridenour currently serves as the Program Coordinator for Adult Learners & Veteran Services at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Brianna Ridenour M.S. (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for student success. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University (CSU).

In her professional role, her focus includes overseeing first-year transition programs for adult learners, student veterans, and student parents - supporting their holistic development throughout their educational journeys. In her role, she oversees first-year transition programs such as ELEVATE: ALVS’ Summer Bridge Program, 6 Weeks to Success: ALVS’ Cohort-based workshop Series, and the ALVS’ Peer Advising program. In addition to those programs, she also teaches the ALVS section of IU 172: New Student Seminar during the fall semester.

With experience at UNL’s Clifton Strengths Institute, University of Notre Dame, and College Possible, Brianna is deeply committed to practicing positive psychology through the lens of strengths-based sciences, and leading with diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Brianna believes in creating spaces where students can enter as their authentic selves, seek support, and find values alignment in their academic and co-curricular experiences. She has presented her student success work at multiple trainings and conferences. Brianna has presented on topics such as, ““Exploring our Pillars of Near-Peer Coaching and Fostering a Peer Support Network: Intentional Creation of Opportunities” at College Possible’s National AmeriCorps Training; “‘I Don’t Know What I Don’t Know:’ Helping Adult Learners, Student Parents, and Student Veterans Be Their Best Self Advocates” at the National Annual NASPA Conference; and “The First Year: Fostering Community & Engagement Through Transition Programs” at the NASPA Symposium on Military Connected Students; the NASPA IV-W Conference, and the National Annual NASPA Conference.

Outside of work, she enjoys geocaching, disc golfing, hiking, and is an active member of the Global Builder Alumni Network Advisory Council through the Clifton Foundation and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln First-Generation Alumni Network Board.