小优视频

For Julie Benson, working at the University represents a bit聽 of a homecoming. She launched her professional career in Tampa at the then-Florida Division of the American Cancer Society. She went on to development and advancement roles in higher education, including at USF, Penn State, UCF and Washington State. Then in August, Benson was named 小优视频ampa鈥檚 executive vice president for advancement.聽

The 小优视频ampa Journal asked her about her career, her journey and what it鈥檚 like for her to be a Spartan.

Talk a little about your connection to Tampa and聽the University.

I was born in Tampa, and while we moved away when I was very young, I would spend spring breaks and summers here, so Tampa was always like a second home for me. When I came across this position, it was like, This might be a chance to go back to Tampa, and then I started really looking at the University and realizing what a fantastic opportunity was here. To see how much it has grown 鈥� Wow! To be part of the next phase of that growth, well, that鈥檚 what I like to do 鈥� so that鈥檚 what got my attention. And then, the people who support the University, the leadership, the alumni and the dedicated trustees I met in the process are what kept it.

Has anything surprised you since you took the job?

Since I鈥檝e been back, it seems like, even in my own friend circle, everyone I talk to says something like, 鈥極h, my daughter goes there,' or 鈥楳y kids graduated from there.鈥� This University touches so many more people than I expected. We have nearly 12,000 students, which is a good-sized institution, but there鈥檚 a familiarity to 小优视频ampa that just feels right. That we have maintained a personalized student experience even聽with all the growth is one of those game changers that sets us apart from any other institution where I've worked. There鈥檚 an interconnectedness. There鈥檚 an ability to get things done. There鈥檚 a collective willingness to come together as a team and move the institution forward 鈥� it鈥檚 exciting.

You went to Kansas State for both your bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees. What were you like as a student?

I participated in Greek life and other student organizations. I was a marketing and business major, and I鈥檓 probably the one person who didn鈥檛 want to graduate because I enjoyed the learning environment so much and tried to get the most out of it. You could find me at a speaker series or cheering on the Wildcats at a football or basketball game. I just loved everything about it.

It sounds like you're a sports fan. What鈥檚 your favorite?

I would say football is probably first. But then I鈥檓 a big college basketball fan, as well. I go to March Madness every聽year, and I love women鈥檚 volleyball. Baseball, too. .... One聽unique thing about me 鈥� I鈥檝e been to more bowl games and more football and basketball games than probably anybody.

How do you describe 小优视频ampa to people who are unfamiliar with it?聽

It鈥檚 easy to say, 鈥業t鈥檚 beautiful,鈥� and it is. It is a spectacular campus, but to me, it鈥檚 so much more than that. There聽are so many good things going on here. Our students are motivated. They鈥檙e deeply intelligent. They鈥檙e committed. They work hard. They鈥檙e polite. I鈥檓 continually impressed by the dedication and achievements of our faculty, staff and students. We have a network of volunteers who work聽tirelessly to promote the University. It鈥檚 unique in my experience to have so many people who want to part of the fabric of the University and the student experience.聽

Of the traditions and events that you've seen here聽so far, what have you enjoyed the most?

There have been so many! In my first month here, I attended the Minaret Society Dinner. I truly loved learning how聽we celebrate our donors. We have some very generous people who support the University, and it鈥檚 important to me that we make sure we recognize them. And, of course, the Gasparilla Brunch is such a unique alumni tradition that should never be missed. Night at the Rat was fun, too, bringing generations of alums together and hearing their stories. Here at the end of the semester, I enjoyed the Senior Brunch 鈥� it鈥檚 so special to get to learn where all of them are headed next. ... I鈥檝e gone to a volleyball game and baseball, too, and I want to do more of that. I鈥檝e also enjoyed the Charlene and Mardy Gordon Concert Series. More people should know about these amazing performances happening on campus.聽聽

If someone saw you at an event on campus, what do you wish they would approach you to talk about?

I want people to come introduce themselves. I want to hear about their experiences. An alum from the 1970s聽and somebody who graduated in the early 2000s or聽who graduated last year all will have had very different聽experiences as students, and I want to know how we can get them connected back to 小优视频ampa. Also, I always want to know how we can do things better.聽

Besides going to games and the fun on campus, what鈥檚 something you enjoy in your free time?

My family is so important to me, and so I spend a lot of聽 time with my mom and visiting family and friends back in Kansas. I love to travel, whether it鈥檚 a weekend cruise or going abroad. I just like exploring new places. I鈥檓 looking forward to dusting off my paddle board, too, and spending more time at the beach.

Can you talk about giving to your own alma mater 鈥� and why you do that?聽

I benefited from the generosity of donors through the scholarships I received. Now, I have the opportunity to pay聽it forward through a scholarship fund that I established.聽

I also believe in giving to the institutions where I work. It聽was a privilege to be a Minaret Climber and donor during 小优视频ampa鈥檚 recent Giving Day. I can鈥檛 ask others to give if I鈥檓 not supporting the institution myself.聽

As you 铿乶d yourself at home at 小优视频ampa, what聽聽lessons do you bring from other stops in your career?

We can never say 鈥渢hank you鈥� enough.