Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

Instructor joins institute

For the second straight year, an instructor at Wake Technical Community College has been appointed

to the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University.

Benita Budd, an English and humanities instructor, was selected as a 2010 GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow at the IEI. The fellowship supports faculty at North Carolina's colleges and universities in working on public policy issues that affect the state. Last year, Wake Tech automotive instructor and alternative fuels expert Rich Cregar served on the panel.

Budd is one of six faculty fellows named for 2010 and was chosen because of her expertise in the type of educational system North Carolina needs to meet current and future challenges.

"I believe it takes all levels of critical thinking to solve problems," Budd said. "As a GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow, I hope to encourage others to think more creatively about how to bridge gaps and create partnerships, even when similarities are not apparent."

Budd will be charged with putting into practice ideas from this year's Emerging Issues Forum on Feb. 8 and 9.

Budd began teaching at Wake Tech in 2005. Her public policy credentials include strategic planning and conflict resolution initiatives as well as participation in New Mexico First (similar in purpose to IEI). She serves as vice president of the North Carolina Community College Faculty Association. She holds a master's degree in English from the University of Illinois and a bachelor's in English/theatre arts from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.