Yvonne Benton, San Antonio Independent School District, Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness
As the current Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness, Yvonne Benton is dedicated to fostering comprehensive dual credit pathways, career and technical education programming, and intricate K-12 systems for student success beyond high school. Yvonne’s core responsibilities encompass enhancing college and career awareness, ensuring students are academically and personally prepared for post-secondary destinations, and facilitating access to various collegiate opportunities. Additionally, Yvonne actively develops and oversees work-based learning initiatives, providing students with practical experience and industry exposure, while also guiding them through the myriad of military opportunities available for their post-high school journeys.
Yvonne’s academic background is robust, providing a strong foundation for the work in educational guidance. Holding an Associate's degree from St. Philip’s College–the nation's only dually designated institution holding an HBCU and HSI status–which laid the groundwork for subsequent studies. As an adult learner, Yvonne furthered her education by earning a Bachelor's degree-Sociology, followed by a Master's degree in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A & M University-San Antonio. Equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively support campus teams in their efforts to guide students to and through their academic and career development, the specialized education through degree attainment provided Yvonne with tools and techniques beneficial to understanding the psychological and developmental aspects of staff and students decision-making processes.
Prior to Yvonne’s current role, her career was rooted in the higher education ecosystem, where Yvonne gained invaluable experiences in various capacities. Yvonne spent 15 years focusing on enrollment management, which involved strategic planning and execution to attract, admit, and retain a diverse student body. Concurrently, Yvonne served as an academic advisor, guiding countless students through course selections, major declarations, and overall academic progression, ensuring students were on track to meet their educational and career aspirations. This blend of experience in both administrative and direct student support roles has provided Yvonne with a holistic understanding of the educational landscape.