Texas and ACT

Join us for a 60-minute webinar as we dig into Texas-specific ACT and industry insights that indicate academic readiness and the potential for scholarship attainment for your students.

ACT K12 and data experts will discuss the current state of Texas readiness and Andy J. Benoit, Jr., Ed.D., vice president of enrollment management for Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, weighs in on what insights are important to help connect the dots for admissions and scholarship decisions.

• Get a view of the Texas college and scholarship ready landscape through an ACT data lens.
• Hear a college admissions professional’s view on the best insights that inform admissions and scholarship attainment in test optional scenarios– and the role of K12 administrators and counselors in that success.
• Learn how Texas educators can make a difference in readiness with ACT insights.
• Explore getting broader academic insights for younger students and STEM program candidates.

Presenters

Andy J. Benoit, Jr., Ed.D., Vice President, Division of Enrollment Management, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Dr. Andy Benoit began his career in higher education in 1995 at his alma mater, McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana for what would become a 28-year record of service in the field of Enrollment Management. Over the span of this career, Benoit has held responsibility for organizational areas including Admissions, Recruitment, Registrar, Advising, Financial Aid, Retention Programs, Orientation, as well as Military & Veteran Services. His roles have included: recruiter, senior recruiter, coordinator, associate director, director, assistant vice president, and service as vice president for Enrollment Management at Lander University in South Carolina (2016-2019) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (2019 – present). He is the current chair of the Texas A&M University System Enrollment Management Council/Community of Practice and is co-chair of the Apply Texas Advisory Council. Benoit has previously served as President of the Louisiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (LACRAO), Chair of the Louisiana ACT Council, and as a member of the Western Piedmont Educational Consortium in South Carolina. He has memberships in AACRAO, SACRAO, NACAC, SACAC, TASFAA, NASFAA, and has honorary lifetime membership status in LACRAO.

Benoit has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Technology from McNeese State University, post-graduate work in Human Resource Education and Workforce Development from Louisiana State University, in addition to a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University (’21) with highest distinction.

Rose Gardner, Account Executive, ACT Client Relations
Rose Gardner is an educator with 17 years’ experience as a biology teacher, college and career readiness counselor, and as a high school principal. She now partners with educators across Texas to provide guidance for students, parents, educators, and communities for post-secondary success. She is committed to ensuring equity and access for all students and is passionate about providing educators with the necessary tools and resources towards that goal. Rose lives in northeast Texas with her husband and two teenagers.

Bryan Williams, Ed.D. 
Dr. Bryan Williams has 30+ years in K12 education. At ACT he is part of the ACT Professional Services team where his work focuses on all ACT assessments and extending their use through Professional Development. Workshops include embedding the ACT into the school day, ACT, PreACT, PreACT 8/9, PreACT Secure and WorkKeys school/district level data analysis. His knowledge and experience in the K12 setting is very helpful in his work with schools and districts. He holds an MA in Education Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and an Ed.D. in Education Administration from St. Louis University.