Plenary Speaker

DR. JEREL BENTON Associate Vice President for Student Success at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi

Dr. Jerel Benton is a native of Lexington, KY. He graduated from Western Kentucky University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Art in Adult and Higher Education from Morehead State University, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. His research focused on predicting first-year academic success for African American students using demographic, academic, and social pre-college characteristics. He is married to Gabrielle Benton and has three daughters (Ayden Benton, Alyssa Benton, and Amari Benton).

Dr. Benton has worked in higher education for over a decade. His passion is ensuring that all students have access to higher education and equitable outcomes. Early in his career, his roles focused on equity and diversity. He served as the Minority Retention Coordinator at Morehead State University, Director of African American Affairs at Minnesota State University – Mankato, and Sr. Diversity Officer at the University of Wisconsin – Superior. Over the last three years, Dr. Benton has broadened his impact on students by focusing on data to support informed decisionmaking in academic affairs and enhancing academic support services as the former Special Assistant to the Provost and his current role, Associate Vice President for Student Success at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi.

As a proud first-generation college student, Dr. Benton continues his pursuit of impacting students and future generations through enhancing academic support services at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. His recent accomplishments include the enhancement and development of a new advising model, tutoring model, Finish In 4 initiative, First Generation initiative, and a successful reorganization leading to the creation of the Office of Student Success. His engagement with nationally recognized organizations and projects with organizations such as the American Association of State Colleges and University’s (AASCU) “Student Success Equity Initiative”, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and National Association of System Heads (NASH) “Taking Equity to Scale” initiative has allowed for him to continue to integrate and elevate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to ensure all students are successful. Dr. Benton remains committed to pursuing student success for all students in hopes of contributing to the greater good for years to come.