Bennion Center Staff

	DEBBIE HAIR | ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT From PTA to Community Council, Debbie Hair is engaged in her community. Besides those roles, Debbie has served in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and is currently participating SSLART, amateur ham radio support for the City of South Salt Lake. She’s also written a cookbook and is an award-winning dutch oven chef. Debbie has been Administrative support for the Bennion Center since 2007. 801-585-3296 | debbie.hair@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	ASMA HASSAN | UTAH READS , SR. PROGRAM MANAGER Asma is glad to be back at the Bennion Center and grow its Utah Reads program. Previously, she worked at the Eccles School of Business in their IT department, at Utah Campus Compact, a local chapter of AmeriCorps where she enrolled and exited members completing their AmeriCorps hours in educational, health, and environmental fields, serving vulnerable populations, and as a tutor for Utah Reads. Asma has a M.Ed. in Special Education and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah. In her free time, she enjoys tutoring students using engaging teaching methods, hanging out with her sisters, and eating Thai food. 801-585-9101 | asma.hassan@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	BOBBIJO KANTER | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS  BobbiJo Kanter joined the Bennion Center in 2016 following a 13-year career with Special Olympics programs. She is excited about connecting students with community experiences to create inclusive, engaging, and meaningful opportunities. While not working, BobbiJo can usually be found in the great outdoors with her wife and giant dogs. 801-585-9103 | bobbijo.kanter@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	DEAN MCGOVERN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dean McGovern enjoys exploring the intersections of education and community. He is inspired daily by the students and faculty who choose to make the world a better place through their learning, teaching, and scholarship. He believes that if the Bennion Center didn’t already exist that someone would just have to invent it. Dean gets lost running mountain trails whenever he can. 801-585-7826 | dean.mcgovern@utah.edu Pronouns - He, Him, His
	KATE PASCO | CURRICULAR PROGRAMS, MANAGER Bio coming soon! 801-585-7472 | kate.pasco@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	Sabita Bastakoti | COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAMS, MANAGER More info coming soon!
	MEGAN MEDINA | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM & SCHOLARSHIP Megan Medina likes growing programs and people. She's happiest when she is mentoring and encouraging students, which is part of the reason why she's so excited to direct the Bennion Center's curricular programs (CEL courses/faculty, Bennion Scholars, & Certificate). A native of North Dakota, Megan's an avid traveler. She spent time living and teaching in China and loves the outdoors. 801-585-3297 | megan.medina@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	GRACE HYMEL | ALTERNATIVE BREAKS, PROGRAM MANAGER Grace Hymel is a passionate community builder and educator at heart. She comes to the Bennion Center after several years dedicated to community engagement and leadership development throughout her undergraduate and graduate education. Grace earned her Master of Science in Student Affairs for Higher Education from Miami University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Loyola University in Maryland. She also brings experience from working at the College of WIlliam and Mary, and with Break Away, the national non-profit for Alternative Breaks. In her free time, she enjoys reading, being active, spending time outdoors, and exploring new places. Grace is thrilled to work, learn, and live alongside this community in their collective pursuit of a more just society. Grace.Hymel@utah.edu Pronouns - She, Her, Hers
	Brett Gaffney | STUDENT COHORTS, PROGRAM MANAGER Brett Gaffney joined the Bennion Center in 2022, on her birthday, which feels lucky. Before moving to Utah, she earned her MFA in Poetry from Southern Illinois University and worked an eclectic mix of jobs which allowed her to connect with communities of writers, librarians, booksellers, artists, veterinarians, dog walkers, and haunted house actors, among others.  Now she is thrilled to hold a position in Residential Engagement and Student Cohorts where she can support students with a drive toward advocacy and social impact. Brett is happiest when she's in the mountains or desert with her family and their spoiled puggle, Ava.  801-581-8436 | brett.gaffney@utah.edu  Pronouns - She, They
	CHRIS WADA | MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, DIRECTOR New to higher education, Chris brings 12+ years combined experience as a sales & marketing leader, project manager and business development consultant in the fresh produce and natural food industry. After moving back to the SLC area from Southern California to live closer to family (grew up in Idaho), he was chosen to lead an expanded marketing & communications role at the Bennion Center to reimagine the department. Focused on being a marketer and now educator, his goal is to create a creative agency type of structure made up of student & community member volunteers to provide real life, professional opportunities with purpose-minded peers. Outside of work, his world revolves around his wife and 2 young kids. #dadlife 801-585-6564 | chris.wada@utah.edu Pronouns - He, Him, His
	TBD | DEVELOPMENT, DIRECTOR Interim Contact: Dean McGovern 801-581-4811 | dean.mcgovern@utah.edu Pronouns - He, Him, His