08/02/96

Contact: Debra M. Benton, 614/593-7698

ATHENS, Ohio -- Former Ohio University assistant registrar Debra M. Benton has been promoted to associate registrar.

Benton had been assistant registrar since July 1993. As assistant registrar, Benton's responsibilities included Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) administrator, re-enrollment process supervisor, graduation special projects consultant, and World Wide Web director. She has also served as technical coordinator, security administrator and training consultant for the Student Information System (SIS).

As associate registrar, Benton will still oversee DARS, but will be assisted by the new assistant registrar with the day-to-day operation of the system. Benton will work directly with university registrar Bill R. Jones to enhance the DARS, TRIPS, and SIS programs, and in the overall administration of the office of the registrar. Benton fills the associate registrar position vacated by Jones, who became university registrar in November.

Jones called Benton "very competent and deserving," and said she has "a deep commitment to working constantly for the improvement of the student academic advising process and academic student services in general."

Benton's professional activities include a three-year term in the Ohio University Administrative Senate. She is a member of the Administrative Program Group of the Information Resource Council and the Work Climate Committee. She also serves on the Ohio Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Professional Development Committee.

Benton holds two degrees from Ohio University. She graduated cum laude in 1991 with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a minor in computer science. In 1993, she received a master of education in education leadership/college student personnel.