July 6, 2022 (Chattanooga, TN) --- Chattanooga State Community College recently named Dr. Amanda Bennett as vice president for Student Affairs (VPSA) effective July 1. “Dr. Bennett has served admirably as interim vice president for Student Affairs since January 2021 and has done an outstanding job,” stated Dr. Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State president. “We conducted a national search, and Dr. Bennett’s experience and accomplishments made her the top choice for this important position. I look forward to her continued leadership at Chattanooga State.”

Dr. Bennett has held a number of demanding positions since first arriving at Chattanooga State in 2006. Her past experience serving as academic advisor, Engineering Technology specialist, Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TCIS) program director, Honors and Leadership Education director, and Student Affairs interim vice president, before being selected as permanent vice president was impressive.

Some of Dr. Bennett’s major accomplishments over a 16-year period included the reduction of wait times by up to 75% through implementation of Advising 101 workshops, securing more than $500K in grant funding for student scholarships, increasing honors student membership from 50 to more than 250, co-chairing the Strategic Enrollment Management and the 7-Week Semester Taskforce committees, and partnering  with campus departments and community agencies to increase equity for low-income, rural, and minority student populations.

“I am truly privileged to work with and on behalf of our students,” said Dr. Bennett. “I am humbled and honored to be selected as the VPSA. I look forward to our continued work to better serve our students and form relationships and connections that allow us to empower everyone in our community to learn without limits.”

Dr. Bennett holds an Educational Leadership doctoral degree from East Tennessee State University, a Master of Education in college student affairs administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology, both from the University of Georgia.