March is Women’s History Month, and in this story, we highlight an amazing woman doing amazing things at Davenport.

 

When Vice Provost Irene Bembenista retired from Davenport University in 2022 with more than 27 years of experience, she was looking forward to a quieter pace and travel with her husband. Retirement, however, was short-lived. 

Bembenista has returned to Davenport three times since retiring. Most recently, she is serving as interim dean of the College of Business and the College of Technology. Previously, she returned as a consultant for a Higher Learning Commission review and as interim dean of the College of Urban Education.

“I keep coming back because it’s a wonderful place to work, and it’s wonderful working for Gilda (Gilda Gely, executive vice president for academics and provost),” Bembenista said. “I truly believe in Davenport’s mission: helping students build careers. I was a first-generation student myself. I don’t think we listen enough to young people on what their interests are and where their talents lie.”

Bembenista said mentoring is important for students, especially those who are the first in their family to go to college. They should also talk to professors early and learn about the various programs before enrolling. 

“There are many more support options available now,” Bembenista said. “Davenport really helps students find careers. In turn, students should take advantage of any help they hear about, like tutoring or mentoring. If they get a chance to work with a mentor, they should take it because it really matters.”

Bembenista’s career is an example of starting down one path then choosing to pivot. She received her undergraduate degree in teaching and English and began her career teaching English at a state college. She found she didn’t like critiquing students’ writing as it is so personal. She was, however, fascinated with learning disabilities, finding it much like a puzzle. And she found she had a strong aptitude for math.

“In the early 1970s when I was starting out, women were just starting to get their ‘rights,’ if you will,” Bembenista said. “Given how I started, it’s interesting I am where I am today.” 

After marriage and the births of her children, Bembenista returned to school for a master’s degree in management. She loved her accounting classes so much that she took classes outside of her major so she could sit for the CPA exam. Soon after, she started working for Westinghouse, then opened her own accounting business.

One day, she saw an ad in the paper for adjunct teachers in accounting. She soon started teaching at Davenport. By 1998, there was a full-time teaching position available. She decided it was time to close her business and start teaching full-time.

“I like working with people and being with people, but also love puzzles,” Bembenista said. “When something is missing, an issue in the curriculum, or from the data I’m collecting, it shows. I’m very interested in the administrative end of building curriculum.”

Over the years, her role at the university evolved. In 2011, she spoke with Davenport’s new provost and found there was a position available for a vice provost of assessment and graduate studies. It was a great fit.

Bembenista served as vice provost until retirement in 2022.

“One of the things that makes Irene a standout is that she is not only a problem solver of the highest degree, but she is also a problem solver who does so in a thoughtful way; one who is curious and open to new ways of doing things,” Gely said. “She is not constrained by the way things have always been done. 

“Not only has Irene left a lasting impact on the academic community at Davenport for decades to come, but she has also left a lasting impact in that she did not simply create systems; she figured out a way to ground them into a culture that transcends the people in that culture.”

And Bembenista has always been willing to help when needed.

“There are people who step into roles, and there are people who step in when they are needed most; Irene has always been the latter,” Gely said. “Not only is Irene a phenomenal leader, but she is also a sounding board for leaders. Every time that I have asked Irene to come back and serve Davenport, there has never been a hesitation on her part; rather, there has been a silent readiness that has been rooted in a profound dedication to our students and mission.”

Bembenista said that despite her commitment to Davenport, throughout her career, family always came first. 

“I tell people, always look at what your priorities are and try to go for your dream based on those priorities,” she said. “Family is extremely important to me, with my three daughters and my three grandchildren. I’ve always enjoyed my work because I made time for them. That balance brings me happiness.”