Dr. Benes is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of School Health Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She was previously the Program Director for Physical and Health Education programs at Boston University as well as serving as an Associate Clinical Professor at Merrimack College. Dr. Benes has multiple published articles in peer reviewed journals as well as a recently published textbook. She also presents at local and national conferences regularly and is actively engaged in service to the physical and health education professions as well as to the community. Dr. Benes’ research interests include skills-based health education, equity & justice in health education, physical activity in schools, and enhancing school-based physical and health education programming. Dr. Benes is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), a National Board Certified Health & Well-Being coach, and is Past President of SHAPE America.