Member Spotlight: Dr. Geoffrey Benn
What is your Academic Federation job title?
Academic Coordinator
What is your working job title (if different)?
Course Coordinator
In which department/unit do you work?
I work in the Department of Plant Biology.
My primary role is to oversee the lab component of BIS2C, a high-enrollment introductory biology course. Each quarter, this entails training and supervising 20 to 25 graduate teaching assistants and 20 to 30 undergraduate learning assistants. I also supervise the lab set-up staff, provide logistical and technical support to course instructional faculty, and collaborate with faculty on a variety of projects related to course improvement, education research, and outreach.
What do you like most about your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with graduate TAs to help them become better instructors. I also enjoy the many opportunities I have to interact with and teach students.
How long have you been in your current position?
I have been in my current position for a little over three years.
How long have you been at UC Davis?
I have been at UC Davis for ten years. I came to UC Davis in 2009 to do a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and transitioned into my current position after completing my degree in 2016.
In the past five years, have you served on any Academic Federation committees?
I have served on the Academic Federation Committee for Excellence in Teaching. I am currently the chair of the committee. As part of my current role as chair of the Excellence in Teaching committee, I also serve as a member of the Academic Federation Executive Council.
Any other comments you would like to share?
I am also a faculty representative on the Campus Judicial Board. In this capacity I serve as a panelist on formal hearings to hear cases of alleged violations of the student code of conduct.