Dannie Woods
Student Wellbeing
Dean of Student Success and Wellbeing
Biography
Dannie Russo Woods, originally from Rockledge, Florida, earned her bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from Lipscomb University. She spent two years working in corporate training and leadership development for Genesco before transitioning to a career in Student Affairs at Mississippi College. She earned an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University and a graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, followed by a graduate certificate in Strengths Approaches to Higher Education Leadership and Student Success from Azusa Pacific University, which equipped her to integrate StrengthsFinder into her student development work. In August 2025, she completed her doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University, where her research focused on holistic student success—supporting the academic, emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions of student thriving.
As Dean of Student Success & Wellbeing at Lipscomb University, Woods leads holistic and collaborative retention strategies that address the full spectrum of student needs. She oversees New Student Orientation, First-Year Experience, Student Care and Support Resources, the Care Team, case management services, financial support initiatives, and advocacy for the sexual minority population. Passionate about removing barriers to student success, Woods has championed fundraising efforts to establish critical support programs, including the Nourish Nook (nutrient-dense snack pantry), Hygiene Locker, Swipe Out Hunger, and the Student Care Emergency Fund. Through these initiatives and her commitment to student leadership development, she cultivates a culture of care that supports retention and whole-person flourishing.
Outside of work, Woods enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Jonathan (Lipscomb Academy '07, Lipscomb University '11), and their three children—Levi, Milo, and Laine.
Academic Degrees
- B.A. Fashion Merchandising, Lipscomb University
- M.Ed. in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University
- Ed.D in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University