Dr. Benkert brings a wealth of experiences to his new role as Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. He began his teaching career in K-12 music in the Appalachian mountains. During the early part of his professorial career he completed three international tours with chamber groups comprised of professional and collegiate musicians. As a professor and Director of Bands he conducted many honor bands and orchestras while teaching over twenty different courses including music practicums, graduate and undergraduate research methods, aesthetic philosophy, acoustics and cognition, cognitive behavioral therapy for music therapists, and strategy/planning for doctoral leadership programs. An active designer, Stuart has completed over 200 commissions and continues to design three per year as an administrator.
Dr. Benkert is a rabid innovator facilitating the complete redesign of an entire program curriculum and leading the implementation of new programming. In addition to creating degree programs in music business, music software, music therapy, and theatre concentrations, Stuart facilitated the implantation and iteration of North Carolia State University’s first fine arts degree: Music Technology ( a collaboration between music and the College of Engineering). Additionally, Dr. Benkert facilitated the design of a postgraduate certificate and a graduate program in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Benkert is an advocate for faculty development and has designed legacy leadership programs for several institutions, two of which were later adopted at the state system level. Stuart also coaches academic leaders including senior executives and career coaches academics through a range of services from seeking and securing the first academic position, through the promotion and retention process, as well as moving into administration.
Stuart also has extensive experience in student success. Most recently he served as the Dean of Undergraduate Education and Student Success at Colorado State-Pueblo. Before CSU-Pueblo, Stuart was the Director of Strategic Planning, and Associate Provost of Complete College and Student Success at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dr. Benkert spent his formative experience in student success with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission where he focused on underserved populations, performance funding metrics, and educational policy compliance.
When not on campus Dr. Benkert can be found in the gym, on the trails, or raiding in an MMORPG.