Tréon D McClendon
Assistant Dean and Director of Student Success and Belonging
About Tréon McClendon
Tréon McClendon is the inaugural Assistant Dean of Student Success & Belonging and the Director of Student Success Center in the College of Communication, Information, and Media. He provides managerial oversight for student success, supports faculty, and ensures equitable, holistic student support for the college. Mr. McClendon also serves as a lecturer on student success in the college.
As a first-generation college student and graduate, he is dedicated to cultivating and amplifying the student experience and holds equity-mindedness as a central tenant of his work and research. His background includes service learning, mentoring, high-impact practices, student success, and equity, all of which contribute to his comprehensive approach to student support.
He brings over a decade of experience in student success, wraparound support, and student development. Before joining Ball State, Mr. McClendon was the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Director of Student Life, Development, and Leadership at Ivy Tech Community College, where he also served as Adjunct Faculty for Student Success.
As an award-winning student champion-scholar, Mr. McClendon fosters an environment where students, faculty, and staff promote innovative learning, cross-functional leadership, and strategic engagement. This approach enhances a sense of connectedness to pedagogy and cultivates a genuine commitment to student retention and success.
Education
- Ed.D., Higher Education and Student Affairs, Indiana University- Bloomington (In Progress)
- M.S., Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs, University of Saint Francis
- B.A., Liberal Studies with a Concentration in English, Indiana University-Bloomington
Research, Publications, Keynotes, and Presentations
- McClendon, T.D. & Douglas, T. M. (2021). Thriving Through Relationship Building: Framing Tomorrow’s Success by Enhancing Student Development and Learning. In P.D. Douglas, T.M, & Herron, J.D. Strategies for Student Support During a Global Crisis (pp.89-98). IGI Global
- McClendon, T. (September 2020). Virtual. Cultivating Adaptability in Educators. Presentation at the monthly professional development at Colorado High School Charter, Denver, Colorado.
- McClendon, T. (February 2023). Keynote Address. First-generation college students navigating a predominately white institution, particularly my own lived experience at IUB. Keynote Presentation at the Indiana University Academic Advising Annual Conference at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- McClendon, T. (January 2024). Virtual. Reimagining Effective Leadership: Put 'we' before 'me.' Presentation at the United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- McClendon, T., Allen, J., & Ross, A. (March, 2024). What’s Your Special Sauce? Uncovering the Power of Community-Based Mentoring Initiatives for African American Males in Higher Education. Presentation at the annual conference of NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators, Seattle. Washington.
Honors, Certifications, and Awards
- Hurley Goodall Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award, Ball State University, 2024
- Stellar 50 Honoree, Black Diaspora Knowledge Community, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, 2024
- Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs Institute, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, 2023
- Student Success Analytics Certification, California State University, 2023
- Advisor of the Year, Brother 2 Brother, Ivy Tech Community College, 2023
- Mental Health First Aid Certification, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2023
- ELEVATE Award, Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, 2022
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification, University of South Florida, 2021
- Teacher of the Month, 2018
- Lilly Endowment Scholar