Lauren Bethune-Dix

Dr. Bethune-Dix is Assistant Director and Director of Academics of Next Steps. She joined Vanderbilt University in 2015. She currently serves as Principal Investigator on a three-year state grant for from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities focusing on supporting the growth of students as leaders and self-advocates through an academic pathway.  In her role, she oversees the program of study and all academic support initiatives at Next Steps at Vanderbilt. She works closely with a growing number of faculty and academic support services to expand academic course participation and progress. Her responsibilities include supporting admissions and recruitment, supporting faculty, collaborating with various on-campus academic supports on best teaching practices for faculty, and assisting with the evaluation of academic supports.

Dr. Bethune-Dix earned her doctorate in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2015. In her studies, she worked as a graduate researcher with the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), where she focused on identifying evidence-based practices in academic skills, policy, and 21st century skills. Prior to that, she coordinated the University of North Florida’s Arc Jacksonville inclusive postsecondary education program providing college experiences for students with intellectual and developmental disability. Dr. Bethune-Dix brings expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inclusive academic support, IPSE program design, resource development, grant management, and transition assessment.