Dr. Colleen Quinn Vandenboom has over 20 years of experience in student affairs and higher education. She currently serves as the Vice President for Student Services at Walla Walla Community College. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Vandenboom has worked at a variety of institutions from large research universities to small private colleges. Her areas of expertise include student affairs, sense of belonging and assessment. Most recently, she and a team of researchers from the NCES data institute presented on Pell Student Success – The Role of Institutional Characteristics. She has contributed to the field as a volunteer for the National Association of Campus Activities, the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals, and Alpha Phi Fraternity.
In addition to her work experience, Dr. Vandenboom has taught courses in Student Affairs, Higher Education Ethics, Leadership and Communications, Civic Engagement, and the Gender Gap in College. She holds a BA in Political Science and English Literature from the University of Washington, a MEd in Student Affairs from the University of Florida, an MBA from Gonzaga University, and a PhD in Philosophy specializing in Higher Education Organizational Change from UCLA.
Dr. Vandenboom currently serves as an adjunct lecturer in the Higher Education Program where she teaches Introduction to Student Affairs. She lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband Doug, and Bernese Mountain Dog, Jameson. She enjoys hiking, standup paddle-boarding and sunny vacations.