TVCC press release
Trinity Valley Community College President Dr. Glendon Forgey announced that Kristen O. Bennett has been appointed as the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Executive Director of the Foundation. Kristen began her tenure at TVCC Tuesday, December 1 and will fill the position previously held by Mary Nicholson.
Kristen comes to TVCC with over 17 years of fundraising experience. Prior to TVCC she served as Vice President for Advancement at St. Catharine College, Director of Development at Eastern Kentucky University, Development Officer at Lexington Public Library/Foundation, Director of Development/Grant Writer at Habitat for Humanity and Major/Planned Gifts Officer at Christian Appalachian Project.
Kristen is pursuing her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Eastern Kentucky University, earned a Master’s in Business Administration at Midway University in 2012 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2005. She is a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) from CFRE International, is certified in fundraising management (CFRM) and nonprofit leadership (CNLE) through the Indiana University-Lily School of Philanthropy (IUPUI).
Kristen has three top priorities set for her first year at Trinity Valley Community College. First, she will build strong relationships with all staff, trustees’ and foundation board, the Athens community, alumni and friends of Trinity Valley Community College. Second, she will conduct an advancement audit of the current status of the advancement office in order to develop a strategic fundraising plan. Finally, she will collaboratively develop a fundraising plan for the next three years.
When Kristen looks to the future of Trinity Valley Community College, she envisions great achievements ahead. “My dreams for Trinity Valley Community College are tremendous. I believe that with hard work, dedication, strategic focus, a transformational campus vision and team effort we will surpass every dream and goal for the future of Trinity Valley Community College and the students served by its dedicated faculty and staff.”
Kristen has been married to Alan Bennett for 18 years and they have 5 children together named Chad, Brandon, Faith, Angelica and Gabriella. They have two dogs: An 8 yr. old West Highland Terrier named Gizmo Rocky and a 1 yr. old Great Pyrenees named Charmaine Aurora. Kristen loves to read, spend time with family, attend sporting events and travel. The Bennett family is excited about moving from Kentucky to Texas.