2024
A message from Dean Campbell
What an honor to be Dean of Benerd College as we celebrated our 100th year! Our yearlong centennial celebration kicked off with a spectacular gala where alums, current students, faculty, community members, and staff helped us ring in the anniversary. We celebrated our centennial in a variety of ways, some of which are highlighted in this Bulletin. Suffice it to say, it has been a fantastic year, filled with celebration and new accomplishments.
Simultaneous to our centennial, Benerd also experienced one of our largest enrollment increases in many years. Our innovative and transformative programs along with our strategic partnerships helped us welcome a record number of students. While other institutions faced enrollment challenges, Benerd thrived due to its dedicated faculty and staff. Faculty developed a dynamic curriculum offering real-world learning, while staff provided essential support, fostering a nurturing environment for students.
Our existing programs continue to attract many students, and we also continue to adapt to community demands by launching new initiatives. Since Fall of 2023, we have introduced a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program and a Marriage and Family Therapy
(MFT) program, building upon our expertise in mental health and provide critical training for mental health practitioners, many of whom will go on to serve our communities here in the San Joaquin Valley. We also created a degree completion program in General Studies, allowing students with an Associate’s degree to earn a Bachelor’s degree in under 20 months, with a pathway to a master’s in education. In addition to our degree programs, we have expanded our offerings in Continuing and Professional Education. Our enrollment in these programs exceeded 24,000 this past year.
Due to our unprecedented growth, we have had the opportunity to hire new faculty whose expertise and experience help enhance our programs, our research portfolio, and our student experience. We are excited to welcome these new faculty to Benerd.
As you read through our annual Bulletin, I hope you are as impressed as I have been with the work of our faculty, staff, and students. We always love to hear from you, so please join us on social media, come by for a visit, or send us an email.
Patricia Campbell Dean, Benerd College
Benerd 100 Memories
Benerd 100 Memories
Benerd 100 Memories
Benerd 100 Memories
Meet the new Benerd Faculty
Dr. T. Gertrude Jenkins is an Assistant Professor and Program Lead for the department of Transformative Action in Education (TAE) at Benerd College. She received her doctorate at the University of San Francisco (USF) in International and Multicultural Education where her dissertation centered on the racialized experiences of Black students in suburban high schools. Jenkins’ research interests are deeply rooted in the liberatory practices of Black educators and the pedagogies they employ to subvert exclusionary policies and practices within K-12 schooling. Jenkins’ current projects focus on the provision of racial affinity spaces within and outside of the academy. Jenkins’ work is motivated by her desire to provide educational environments that are resistant to the manifestations of systemic antiblackness. As part of the TAE faculty, her goal is to empower and enable students to do transformative and lasting work within historically excluded communities.
Michael earned his PhD in Education with an emphasis on School Organization and Education Policy at UC Davis as well as a MA in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from Chapman University and a MPA from the University of San Francisco. His dissertation and subsequent research work has focused on evaluating policies, programs, and interventions in higher education that promote student success. He most recently worked as a Project Scientist in the School of Education at UC Irvine, coordinating a two large-scale NSF and IES-funded research projects. He has worked internationally in China and the Philippines teaching professional development for teachers and evaluating public-private partnerships to improve student learning. Prior to beginning his PhD, Michael worked nine years as a classroom teacher and assistant principal in a K-8 school in Sacramento and four years as site director and senior academic advisor for Brandman University’s Travis AFB Campus. Outside of work, Michael enjoys travel and photography. His photographs have been featured by Nikon USA, SF Pride, and The Inspired Eye Magazine.
Jennifer Geiger, EdD, MT-BC began as Director of Faculty Development in August after a year as TAE’s interim program lead. She believes that a student-centered program begins with supporting faculty as part of the team. Before graduating from the TAE EdD program in December 2022, this board-certified music therapist was a business owner, nonprofit leader, clinical supervisor, and visiting lecturer for the Conservatory of Music at UOP’s San Francisco campus. A regular presenter at music therapy conferences, Jennifer is published on ethical leadership and her dissertation topic of spouses of first responders. With a qualitative researchers’ mind, she enjoys exploring how studies can be created and distilled to the essence of the students’ passion for knowledge creation. Valuing rest and creativity, Jennifer enjoys crocheting while listening to an audio book, binge watching a show while snuggling with her cats, walking with friends, and traveling with her family. She is excited to continue working with the Benerd College community!
Dr. T. Gertrude Jenkins
Dr. Michael Hill
Dr. Jennifer Geiger
Joining us 2024-2025
Sergio L. Sanchez (Ph.D., University of California, Davis) will join Benerd College in January 2024 as a new Assistant Professor of Practice. Dr. Sanchez is a qualitative researcher and bilingual teacher educator with almost 2 decades of teaching experience in K-12 and college classrooms. He draws upon his teaching experience for his research on early-career teacher learning to lead class discussions and integrate drama-based pedagogy in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. Dr. Sanchez has published about equitable class discussion and arts-based instruction for multilingual learners across several national and international outlets, including the Teaching and Teacher Education, English Journal, Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, International Journal of Education & the Arts, Research in Drama Education, Journal of Literacy Research, Arts Education Policy Review, and Dialogic Pedagogy journals.
Elke received her EdD in Counseling Psychology from Benerd College this past spring. She also holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Constance in Germany. Her dissertation focused on the development of counseling self-efficacy in the classroom setting, and improving (and assessing) pedagogy and student engagement remains one of her chief research interests. Her enthusiasm for engaging students stems partly from her prior role at Pacific: Before joining the Benerd faculty full-time, Elke was teaching for the College of the Pacific’s first year General Education program, focusing on game-based pedagogy, as well writing instruction in the context of cultural narrative. Elke has also worked as a school-based counselor in Stockton, conducting group and individual counseling sessions with elementary school students. Outside of work, Elke is a singer and board member of the Stockton Chorale, and enjoys horseback riding and hiking. She lives with her family and Rory the dog in Stockton. Elke is excited to be a part of the Benerd community and looks forward to connecting with her new colleagues.
Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Ratliff is Associate Director of Field Placements and assistant professor of practice. She grew up in the city of East Oakland, Ca and attended the University of California at Berkeley. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and went on to pursue her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at John F. Kennedy University. After graduating she spent 5 years in the field focusing on community mental health, were she put her skills and education in treating people from her very own community in areas such as early child mental health, working with people exposed to trauma and struggling with severe mental illness. During those years she was promoted to Director of her very own Early Childhood Mental health program and continued to work directly with the population that she was very passionate about. Outside of work Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her son, and her husband, going to Disneyland, traveling to other countries, cooking and listening to audio books. Jacqueline feels honored to be a part of the Benerd community and looks forward to being a part of the academic journey of all future therapists and clinicians.
Dr. Sergio Sanchez
Dr. Elke Schmeling
Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Ratliff
Photo not available
School & Counseling Psychology
Some exciting shifts in the School & Counseling Psychology program at Benerd mean that graduate students will leave with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, or Child & Adolescent Counseling.
Newest among these programs is the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program, which is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become thoughtful, self-reflective practitioners, researchers, and leaders in the field. It emphasizes competence in serving a culturally diverse society and teaches students to think critically and strategically.
Students who complete this program will earn a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and are eligible to pursue licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Students who become Marriage and Family Therapists promote positive change for families, individuals and groups by offering treatment and counseling to those with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Justin Low, program lead and associate professor, said “Mental health practitioners are scarce compared to the overall population, and that certainly is the case with marriage and family counseling. The shortage is very serious in San Joaquin County.” Benerd College has made efforts to ensure that the major aligns with state licensing requirements.
The introduction of this program at University of the Pacific adds to the growing number of MFT programs available in California. The demand for mental health providers, including marriage and family therapists, is expected to continue increasing in the coming years, particularly in rural and underserved areas of California.
What’s Happening in: Degree Completion
A new accelerated degree completion program at Benerd is allowing students to return to school to complete a BA in General Studies with an option to put BA credits towards a Master’s degree, making it possible to complete both degrees in just 2.5 years. This innovative, fully online program is designed to provide flexibility and accessibility for students with some college credits who wish to complete their education and advance their career. Students will complete their bachelor’s degree while acquiring skills to effectively plan, develop and support the delivery of curriculum to students in K-12th grade. The program then has an optional direct pathway to a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching (plus a Multiple Subject or Special Education Credential). By offering this comprehensive educational pathway, University of the Pacific demonstrates its commitment to providing accessible, career-focused education that meets the evolving needs of adult learners and the demands of the modern workforce.
What’s Happening in: Professional & Continuing Education
Cat colonies have become a significant issue in the United States, with millions of free-roaming abandoned and feral cats causing concerns for both animal welfare and environmental impact. These colonies, often the result of abandoned pets and uncontrolled breeding, have led to a complex problem that requires humane and effective solutions.
After launching the successful Animal Shelter Management program in 2013, Benerd College joined forces with Stacy LeBaron and Elizabeth Finch of the Community Cats Podcast to develop the Community Cats Program Management curriculum. The program is designed to prepare participants to create and manage a community program to assist in the control of over-grown cat populations. The first cohort was a huge hit with students, who said:
“What I admired the most was the willingness of the instructors to take such an active role in participating with the students and to answer direct questions. ”
“The amount of companion guides was impressive and really helpful.”
“The lectures were excellent. Learning about the experience of veterans in the field through the interviews was also beneficial.”
Developing programs like these is nothing new for Stacy, who has been involved in animal welfare for over 30 years. In addition to hosting the weekly Community Cats Podcast, Stacy has successfully launched numerous Community Cats programs in Massachusetts and Vermont. Partnering with Elizabeth, who has been working with animal rescues since 2015, this dynamic team is focused on spreading the knowledge to empower cat lovers across the globe to begin programs to manage cat populations in their community. The fully online format is convenient for working professionals, while the cohort model allows participants to experience Pacific’s signature student-focused education.
The Community Cats Podcast is available on Spotify and most podcast networks.
Student Spotlight: Jovan Pulido
Jovan Pulido's life has been marked by resilience and a determination to overcome setbacks. Born with renal failure, he has undergone three kidney transplants. These experiences deeply impacted his educational journey. While attending Southwestern College in San Diego, he lost his second transplanted kidney and had to return to dialysis. This setback saw him move back to Merced and put his academic goals on hold for 13 years in order to focus on his health. In November 2022, Jovan received his third transplant, giving him a renewed sense of purpose and the drive to pursue his education. In the summer of 2023, he enrolled in the University of the Pacific’s accelerated Organizational Leadership degree completion program. Jovan’s interest in organizational leadership stemmed from a conversation with someone who held multiple degrees in the field. This program appealed to Jovan because it is designed for working professionals, allowing him to immediately apply his new knowledge and skills to his role as president of Merced United, a youth soccer organization he has been involved with since 2007. Jovan credits the program with strengthening his understanding of leadership, particularly in the areas of adaptability, empathy, networking, and communication. He highlights communication as a key area of growth, emphasizing its importance in succeeding in collaborative endeavors.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Jovan is passionate about sharing his story and using his experiences to inspire others. He was the only Pacific student selected to speak at TedxUOPacific this year, giving a TED Talk discussing his journey and the importance of viewing obstacles as stepping stones. Jovan describes the TED Talk experience as nerve-wracking but ultimately fulfilling. He feels motivated to give more talks and has even applied to speak at TEDxUCLA and TEDxHarvard. He sees these platforms as opportunities to connect with others, share his story, and highlight the unique experiences of each individual.
In the future, Jovan sees himself continuing his academic journey by pursuing a Master’s degree. His journey demonstrates the power of education not only as a means to gain knowledge and skills but also as a catalyst for personal growth, empowerment, and positive change. Through his leadership at Merced United, his advocacy for organ donation, his inspiring TED Talk, and his future academic aspirations, Jovan continues to leave a positive mark on the world, reminding us that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with perseverance, determination, and a belief in oneself.
Achievements in 2024
Alyssa Wray, 2024 Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Alyssa Wray, Assistant Director for Program Development and Operations at Benerd, was the recipient of the 2024 award for Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the 2024 Years of Service Awards Luncheon.
Dr. Rachelle Kisst Hackett, inaugural Harris Professor of Educational Research
Dr. Rachelle Kisst Hackett has been appointed to the inaugural Harris Professor of Educational Research. The Harris Professorship is designed to recognize the exceptional contributions of a senior Benerd Faculty member. The selected faculty member must have an excellent record of student mentorship. While serving in this position, the selected faculty member will work to enhance graduate student research culture at Benerd. The five-year appointment is renewable. As part of her work related to this position, she will support the faculty-student collaborative research of her colleagues and continue her own student mentorship.
Dr.
Jonathan Toccoli, inaugural CTL Faculty Fellow
Dr. Jonathan Toccoli was selected for the inaugural Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellows program, which will conduct research into different ways of teaching and learning by working with colleagues from other disciplines. Eight professors—each from a different school or department—were selected for the two-year program, which began with a retreat in mid-May. Faculty members will design and implement workshops on their findings to be presented in the Center for Teaching and Learning and within their departments to share what they have learned with other faculty. They also will present at conferences and publish their findings in scholarly journals.
Dr. Laura Aguada-Hallberg, Associate Professor
Dr. Laura Aguada-Hallberg, Associate Dean for Benerd College, was appointed an Associate Professor this year. Dr. Hallberg is a dedicated educator who is passionate about the Leadership programs at Benerd.
Fundraising goals for 2024
2024 marked the 100th anniversary of Benerd College. Its incredible legacy of shaping minds and fostering academic excellence would not be possible without alumni, faculty, staff, advocates, partners, and friends like you. This centennial celebration is a testament to a century of dedicated educators, innovative programs, and a vibrant community that has consistently pushed the boundaries of knowledge and discovery. To celebrate this occasion, in addition to our Benerd 100 events, we set ourselves a goal to raise $100,000 for Benerd Scholarships. We are so excited to report that we have well exceeded this goal! $127,232 was raised in 2024 benefiting the following scholarships:
Marilyn Draheim Re-entry Scholarship
Help to provide financial support for non-traditional students transferring from community colleges, returning to school to complete their degree, or changing career paths.
Educator’s Impact Fund
Support initiatives that enhance transformative learning experiences, including professional development, special projects, and student needs; and provide enrichment activities in local Pre-K-12 schools and community educationrelated programs.
Benjamin and Janie Reddish Endowed Scholarship
Benefit Community Involvement Program (CIP) scholars pursuing a career in education. This fund was established in the memory of Benjamin Reddish, to celebrate his extraordinary legacy in the students he mentored.
$127,232
As 2024 and our centennial anniversary comes to a close, we invite you to honor and celebrate 100 years of excellence at Benerd College by making a year-end gift. Your support will ensure that we continue to develop dedicated educators, provide innovative programs, and enrich a vibrant community that consistently pushes the boundaries of knowledge and discovery. Thank you in advance for deepening your commitment to Benerd College and helping us create more opportunities for our students to thrive. To make your gift, please click here.
Thank you again and we wish you very happy holidays!