Aryn Dotterer

Dr. Aryn M. Dotterer is an internationally recognized scholar ranked among the top 2% of global researchers in 2024. A first-generation college graduate from a multi-ethnic family of Mexican, Indigenous, and European ancestry, she has dedicated her scholarly and service endeavors to advancing educational access, equity, and success for marginalized youth and their families. Her strengths-based research agenda has made significant contributions to developmental and educational psychology, particularly through her work on protective factors that foster positive development in the context of adversity. A complementary line of inquiry focuses on broadening participation in STEM, examining family socialization processes and contextual influences such as school type and adversity among underrepresented students. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education, with total funding exceeding $33.3 million. Beyond its scholarly impact, her work has substantial translational and community significance, including preparing Utah’s future workforce by equipping students with high-demand STEM and leadership skills. Under her leadership, USU STARS GEAR UP currently serves 6,036 students across 14 middle schools throughout the state of Utah. In their first year of programming, they achieved their goal of increasing the number of students who attended a career/college awareness event.