2022 Dean's Award for Advising Excellence

The Dean's Office Award for Advising Excellence is presented annually to a College of Arts and Sciences faculty member who has distinguished him or herself as an effective, caring mentor for students in the College. The award is selected by a committee in the college composed of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, the Director of Advising, and the Graduation Analysts.

Jennifer Benford, Departement of Biological Sciences

Dr. Jennifer Benford is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Director of the Biology Advising and Resource Center (BARC) for the Department of Biological Sciences. She received her B.A. from Wellesley College, and her Ph.D. from Emory University. Dr. Benford has previously served on the faculty of Emory University, Middle Georgia State University, and the University of Montevallo before joining the University of Memphis in January 2019.

In addition to teaching general biology and anatomy/physiology, Dr. Benford’s areas of expertise include renal physiology and endocrinology. Dr. Benford has received specialized training in the creation and implementation of Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Investigative Case Based Learning (ICBL) curriculum design and development, and along with Biology colleague Dr. Jaime Sabel, has helped to create the Learning Assistant Undergraduate program in the department. Dr. Benford currently serves as an advisor for several student organizations, including the Memphis chapters of both Sigma Alpha Lambda and the American Medical Women’s Association, along with a new organization, Tigers without Borders.

Benford is involved in multiple campus activities, including the Pride and Equity Alliance, the Career Readiness Task Force, the Disability Resources for Students Faculty Advisory Committee, and Student/Academic Misconduct through the Office of Student Accountability.

Outside of the University, Dr. Benford is a classical harpist and enjoys spending time with her dog Walter (who is the unofficial BARC mascot!) and cat, Oliver. She has also volunteered with the Crohn’s and Colitis Association, and the Science Olympiad at the regional and state levels.