MSU thanks Dr. Amber Benton for her critical leadership

March 1, 2022 - Henry Mochida

On Feb. 14, Dr. Amber Benton embarked on her next chapter of leadership as Chief Officer for Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the School of Music Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Most recently, Benton served as the assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Natural Science at MSU. In this inaugural role, she provided visionary leadership for the college’s departments and programs serving undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty and staff.

While at NatSci, Benton worked toward enhancing the college climate, increasing racial and gender diversity of the workforce in STEM fields and increasing the graduation rate for students of color. In addition, Benton served in several roles at MSU, including as an academic advisor in the College of Engineering, and director of diversity programming and student engagement at James Madison College.

“Dr. Benton had a strong impact on the way that the College of Natural Science operates, and she will be greatly missed,” said Phillip M. Duxbury, NatSci dean. “The college thanks her for her excellent contributions and wishes her the very best in this exciting new role.”

During her tenure as a diversity officer within MSU, Benton has consistently brought innovation and expanded DEI programming to MSU.

While at MSU, she participated in campus-wide programs, including critical leadership roles on the Task Force on Racial Equity and the Increasing Diversity Excellence in Action Coordinators’ Committee. In addition, she served as vice president of the Black Faculty Staff and Administrators Association and representative for the Coalition of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Benton started and co-led the Women of Color Community, which gathered women across campus and was a recipient of the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion’s Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant. In addition, she started and supported the Annual WOCC Conference through its third year and hosted regular meetings with the members. 

Benton founded and hosted the Social Justice Art Festival that celebrated its fifth year during the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration. She also served as a long time member on the MLK Planning Committee.

In addition, Benton served as a member of the César Chavez and Dolores Huerta Celebration’s planning committee as part of efforts to diversify the committee and contribute to the development of the program more broadly. In 2020-21, she received the Excellence in Diversity Awards for Individual/Emerging Progress. 

“I know that Dr. Benton will be a force for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Michigan,” said Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D. “She made a lasting impact at Michigan State, and we look forward to celebrating her continued success.”

Benton earned her Ph.D. in Higher Adult and Lifelong Education in the College of Education from MSU with a focus on Black women undergraduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.