Dionnia Brown, M.A.Ed

Publications focused on educational access, scholarship strategy, college affordability, and student-centered higher education practices. Before You Commit: How High School Seniors Secure Scholarships and Navigate Financial Aid A practical guide helping students and families evaluate affordability, compare aid offers, and make informed college decisions. Financial Aid Administrators Who See the Whole Student: Discernment, Equity & Ethical Practices in the Financial Aid Office A professional resource encouraging equity-informed and student-centered financial aid practices within higher education. ●    Translate financial aid & scholarship processes into easy guidance for families & practitioners ●    Focus on educational access, affordability, scholarship strategy, and student success ●    Support more equitable and relationship-centered institutional practices

Lead institutional strategy and operations for scholarship funding across academic colleges, advancement, and enrollment management. Partner with academic leadership, advancement, and external foundations to align donor-funded scholarships and institutional resources with enrollment and affordability goals. Spearheaded the university-wide implementation of Scholarship Universe, integrating 500+ scholarships into a centralized management system and establishing coordinated processes across departments. The initiative improved transparency, compliance, and student access to funding while strengthening reporting and stewardship for donors and institutional leadership. Oversee post-award management of multi-million-dollar scholarship funds, develop reporting and communication structures, and guide cross-campus collaboration between enrollment, advancement, and academic units. Provide data analysis and presentations to leadership to support enrollment planning and long-term funding strategy.

As the Associate Director of the Graduate School, which included the both the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences as well as the School of Divinity, I provided leadership across admissions and financial aid operations for multiple graduate programs, aligning recruitment strategy, application review, and funding decisions with enrollment goals. Partnered with academic departments and enrollment leadership to support recruitment, retention, and student engagement initiatives. Developed processes and cross-campus coordination that improved communication between advising, financial aid, and student services. Work contributed to expanded access and increased enrollment of underrepresented and first-generation students while maintaining compliance and fiscal stewardship.

Served in a dual leadership role across admissions and financial aid, aligning recruitment strategy, application evaluation, and aid packaging with institutional enrollment goals. Partnered with enrollment leadership to support access, yield, and retention initiatives. Led cross-functional efforts to expand financial aid awareness and integrate funding strategy into recruitment planning. Advised prospective students and families on college affordability and decision-making, strengthening access for underrepresented and first-generation students. Collaborated across academic and student support units to coordinate orientation, communication, and transition processes, improving the student onboarding experience and reinforcing institutional commitment to student success.