Dan Dawson received a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and a master's of education in health education from Texas Tech University.

Dawson is a member of the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, Illinois Gang Violence Association, Governor's - Illinois Prevention 2000 Advisory Council, IEPYE and many local youth-serving collaborations.

He has received numerous IEPYE Communication Awards, the Sterling Clover Award and the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service Outstanding/Innovative Award.