MPA candidate, IPA Research Assistant
e-mail: gbenzing@udel.edu
phone: 302-831-3271 | fax: 302-831-3488
178 Graham Hall | IPA | University of Delaware | Newark, DE 19716-7380
introduction | education | experience | qualifications | honors and awards | professional affiliations | conferences
IntroductionGraceanna is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a joint concentration in Nonprofit Leadership and Health Policy and Management at the University of Delaware. She graduated from University of Delaware in 2008 with a B.A. in Communication, concentrating in Interpersonal Communication. As an undergraduate, Graceanna interned at U.S. Congressman Michael Castle’s office and worked as a coding assistant in media research study through University of Delaware’s Center for Community Research and Service.
During her undergraduate studies, Graceanna developed her interest in nonprofit organizations while she volunteered at NGOs in South Africa and Croatia. In the 2009 summer, Graceanna taught English and other subjects at two schools in Tanzania. In addition, she evaluated a primary school to help it further its mission of quality education for its students more efficiently. She hopes to combine her passion for nonprofits and the international community upon her completion of her MPA.
Graceanna is currently working for the Institute for Public Administration on the Delaware Senior Center Grant-in-Aid Project. Through this project, Graceanna visits and evaluates senior centers throughout the state to gather information for state legislators to help determine funding allocation for the senior centers.
EducationBA, University of Delaware 2008, Communication (Interpersonal Concentration) with minors in Political Science and History
ExperienceJuly – August 2009
Teacher & Evaluator, Volunteer Kilimanjaro, Tarakea, Tanzania
September 2008 – present
Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
October 2007 – May 2008
Intern, Office of U.S. Congressman Michael Castle, Wilmington, Del.
November 2007 – May 2008
Coding Assistant, Center for Community Research and Service, CHEP, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
September – December 2007
Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
Summers 2003 – 2006
Administrative Assistant, Highway One Limited Partnership TA, Dewey Beach, Del.
QualificationsProficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook), GIS, Monarch, Adobe Photoshop; Basic French, Basic Swahili
Honors and AwardsDean’s List University of Delaware Spring 2005 – Spring 2008
Professional AffiliationsMember, American Society for Public Administration, 2009 – present
Member, Delaware Association for Public Administration, 2009 – present
ConferencesStaffed, Stronger Health-Based Partnerships, Newark Del., March 2009
Attended, MidAtlantic Public Health Training Center: Achieving Outcomes Through Best Process Program Design and Evaluation, Frederick, Md., January 2009
Staffed, Delaware Education for a Global Economy: Making Vision 2015 Work, Newark, Del., October 2008
Staffed, U.S. Congressman Castle’s Financial Aid Fair, Middletown, Del., April 2008
Staffed, U.S. Congressman Castle’s Federal Grants Fair, Wilmington, Del., February 2008
