Dominique Benavides

Dominique brings years of experience and robust technical expertise in database management, advanced quantitative research, and various educational and financial systems to her role as Director of Research and Institutional Effectiveness at RSSC. She is proficient in SQL, Excel, Power BI, and Tableau, and has extensive experience with research and assessment software such as Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, and Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise. Her advanced knowledge extends to MIS systems, including the federal Financial Aid system, and she has utilized tools like Taskstream, CurricUNET, and Canvas to drive data-informed decision-making and program evaluation.

 

In addition to her technical skills, Dominique has functional expertise in PeopleSoft, specifically in Campus Solutions, Security, and Query. She is a subject matter expert in federal, state, and third-party reporting systems, including CCC Apply, CCC MIS, IPEDS, the National Student Clearinghouse, and the Department of Education's application for Title V programs. Her strong understanding of ACCJC standards and processes, coupled with her knowledge of federal and state Title IV regulations (Financial Aid), the National Student Loan Data System, and the California Student Aid Commission, makes her a valuable asset in ensuring compliance and driving institutional success.

 

Dominique is also experienced in managing Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) resources and has demonstrated strong financial reconciliation skills throughout her career. These competencies have been instrumental in her leadership roles, particularly as the Director for College Research and Planning at College of Alameda, where she led efforts to incorporate program-level disproportionate impact analysis and contributed significantly to the 2021 Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) that supported the reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation status.

 

Dominique Becerra-Benavides is a proud Latina educational researcher. Her family origin includes a blend of Puerto Rican, Salvadorian and Mexican heritage. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Dominique’s identity is shaped by her indigenous roots, which have profoundly informed her family culture and values deeply rooted in the rich cultural traditions of her ancestors. These values include a strong sense of collectivism, spirituality, respect for elders, protection of children and an unwavering commitment to family ties Dominique has a deep appreciation for the majesty of her Indigenous and Latinx heritage.

 

Dominique has fully embraced her cultural identity, raising three children in a home that celebrates the diverse and vibrant mix of Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Salvadorian traditions. Her consciousness of how racial hierarchies affect Latinx cultures has strengthened her resolve to lean proudly into her heritage, drawing on the strength, dignity, and value placed on education that are hallmarks of Puerto Rican culture.

 

Dominique’s educational journey began at the College of Alameda, where she earned an Associate Degree in Social Science before obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy from Mills College. She entered the workforce in the private sector, working as a planning analyst, where she honed her technical and analytical skills. However, her passion for education led her to higher education, where she has spent the past 13 years making significant contributions to the Peralta Community College District (PCCD).

 

Now pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University, Shreveport, set to graduate in December 2024, Dominique continues to bring her expertise, alongside her deep commitment to equity, to her work at RSSC. She remains dedicated to promoting collaboration, data transparency, and equitable educational outcomes across the institutions she serves.