Student Affairs Staff

JC Lopez

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs

JC Lopez is serving as the interim vice president for student affairs. He works with an incredible staff in the Division of Student Affairs that supports the growth and learning of students outside of the classroom. He is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Grinnell College community...

Interim Dean of Religious Life and Chaplain and Rabbi

Karen Edwards, smiling at the viewer with a black background

Dean of International Student Affairs & Exchange Visitors

To see the staff in the Office of International Student Affairs, click HERE. Karen is Grinnell’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO). Her office is responsible for institutional compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and for teaching F-1...
Terry Mason

Dean for Health and Wellness

Terry is the Dean for Health and Wellness. He obtained his B.A. from Cornell College with majors in Psychology and Biology. He received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Business Management from Texas Tech University. Before assuming the position of Dean of Health and Wellness, Terry...
Ben Newhouse

Assoc. VP of Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Ben Newhouse is a proud Texan, having spent most of his life in the Lone Star State, growing up in the suburbs of Houston and then living in San Antonio for 17 years. Most recently, Ben lived in the ‘Ham (Birmingham, AL) for six years. Ben received a B.A. in Psychology from Trinity University in San...
photo of Ev

Administrative Assistant III

Image is of Dennis Perkins Jr.

Assistant Dean of Residence Life & Student Conduct

Dennis Perkins Jr. is from a small town called East Chicago, Indiana which is located 30 minutes east of Chicago, Illinois. Dennis received his Doctorate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Higher Education Management, his Master’s degree in Education Administration from Western Kentucky...
Michael Sims

Dean of Student Involvement

Michael Sims started working at Grinnell in July 1997, and has filled a variety of roles during his tenure. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and worked in higher education for over twenty-three years in a variety of roles. Aside from nine years of...
Maure Smith-Benanti

Asst. VP of Student Affairs & Dean of Inclusive Initiatives

(she, her, hers) Maure Smith-Benanti grew up in Provo, Utah and completed her official education at Utah State University. She is a life-long learner and educator. Maure says her favorite thing to do is to hang out with her little ones, Elliott and Zora, and her wife, Sarah. Maure says that “Elliott...

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