Augustana selects Reynard Benschop to serve as director of Student Activities, Leadership & Engagement

Augustana College announces the selection of Reynard Benschop to serve as director of Student Activities, Leadership & Engagement. Benschop, who previously served as associate director of student activities at Hamilton College, Clinton, N.Y., started at the college July 15. 

Benschop will lead the college’s Office of Student Life and Leadership (OSL), which hosts events and experiences that complement Augustana’s classroom learning and leads the way in engaging students in campus life in a variety of cultural experiences through the arts, entertainment and educational programming. 

“I am very excited to join Augustana as the new director of Student Activities, Leadership & Engagement,” said Benschop. “It is an honor to be part of such a dynamic and engaged college community, and I look forward to supporting and enhancing student life here.”

Initiatives overseen by OSL include Greek life, the Student Life Programming Board, the Multicultural Programming Board and the Leadership Academy. Signature OSL annual events include concerts, leadership retreats and campus community events. The office supports Augustana’s 150+ recognized student groups.

Augustana’s Vice President and Dean of Student Life Dr. Wes Brooks led the hiring search. Dr. Brooks said he looks forward to seeing the creative and engaging offerings the OSL will provide under Benschop’s leadership based on his understanding of today's college students, his work experience in student activities and Greek life, and his desire to continue building and strengthening the storied tradition of student life at Augustana.

“That’s exactly what the college needs and what our students deserve,” said Dr Brooks. “Augustana values the outside-the-classroom student experience. Rey's commitment to delivering a program that complements classroom learning, is grounded in student development and strategy, and maximizes student joy and engagement are his strengths.”

In addition to serving Hamilton College since September 2023 where he was the primary advisor for the Campus Activities Board, Benschop previously served as assistant director of student and community engagement for Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., and as an administrative assistant at Babson College, Babson Park, Mass.

He earned his master’s in education from Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio, and a bachelor of arts in general psychology from Moravian University, Bethlehem, Pa.