Shannon B. Wanless, PhD '09, Named 2026 OSU Alumni Fellow
A trailblazing College of Health HDFS alumna recognized for leading national progress in social emotional learning by uniting research, practice and community partnerships
A nationally respected scholar and leader in social emotional learning, Shannon Wanless has dedicated her career to advancing child well-being, equity and community engaged research.
After completing her doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State, she built a distinguished career at the University of Pittsburgh, where she now serves as director of the University Center for Social and Urban Research.
As executive director of the Office of Child Development from 2018 to 2025, she helped secure more than $20 million in competitive grants and deepened collaborations focused on mental health, literacy, family engagement and racial equity.
A Fulbright Scholar and Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, she has co-developed nationally recognized initiatives such as the P.R.I.D.E. program and the award-winning 3Rs Initiative.
She remains connected to OSU by contributing her expertise through mentorship, guest lectures and collaborations that inspire future leaders.
To learn more, visit 2026 Alumni Fellows Awards Dinner.
To attend the OSUAA Alumni Fellows Dinner, held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, please R.S.V.P. by April 9.
Related stories
Shannon Wanless, Ph.D. '09, has been named a 2026 OSU Alumni Fellow and will be honored by the College of Health at the OSUAA Alumni Fellows Awards Dinner on April 23 in Corvallis.
For 35 years, William "Ropes" Robertson was Oregon State's beloved athletic trainer and storyteller, mentoring generations of Beaver athletes with humor, wisdom and an unforgettable presence.
William "Ropes" Robertson (1915-1980) was OSU's first athletic trainer and co-creator of the athletic training education program now in the College of Health. A WWII veteran with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, he spent 34 years caring for Beaver athletes and became a legendary figure in OSU athletics history.