Future Forward Fellow

Benita Budd
Professor, English, Wake Tech Community College

[email protected]

Benita Budd is a Professor of English at Wake Technical Community College, where she has taught English and Humanities courses since 2005. Her particular interests involve innovations in teaching and learning that enhance critical thinking and creativity, and experiential learning to help students develop strong critical thinking skills and attitudes. These interests have led to her involvement in the development of Wake Tech’s Future Forward College. As the community college’s first Future Forward Fellow, Benita has worked with faculty and interested groups outside the college to create innovative, futures-oriented projects and assignments that integrate curricula and community since 2012.

 She has coauthored two futures-based articles: A Future Forward College: Wake Tech, Raleigh, North Carolina (The Futurist, July/August 2012); and Creating a Future Forward College: What If …. (submitted). Her futures work includes professional development workshops for faculty at local and state conferences, and serving as a panelist for Creating a Future Forward College at the 2014 World Future Society Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Benita is President of the NC Community College Faculty Association and serves on several campus and state committees. She was selected to be an Institute for Emerging Issues Fellow for the IEI’s 2010 Creativity initiative. She holds an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois and a B.A. in English/Theatre Arts from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Fla. 

Before joining Wake Tech’s faculty, Benita employed her writing and editing skills in a variety of media, including newsletters, scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing publications. As an arts columnist and feature writer, drama critic, speechwriter, and poet, she has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the arts and humanities. Her administrative work in academia ranges from university public relations to legislative advocacy, and her public policy credentials include participation with New Mexico First and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues, as well as facilitating institutional strategic planning, conflict resolution initiatives, and citizenship workshops.