Faculty Profile
< BACK TO FACULTY PROFILES

Patrick Bennett, Ed.D., MBA, PMP

Vice President, Academic Quality & Planning and Dean, H.K. and Eva James College of Education

patrick.bennett@franklin.edu

Profile

As Vice President for Academic Quality and Planning, Dr. Bennett leads a diverse team of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing excellence in teaching and learning across the institution and its academic portfolio. Working in close collaboration with Franklin University's Centers of Excellence, he supports the design and implementation of high-quality, scalable learning solutions for Franklin and its external partners, including domestic and international universities, Fortune 100 corporations, and governmental entities. As Dean of the H.K. and Eva James College of Education, Dr. Bennett provides strategic and academic leadership to a college recognized as a leader in preparing educators who welcome all learners, hold high expectations, and inspire excellence across educational settings. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Bennett has progressively expanded his leadership responsibilities, providing executive oversight for mission-critical initiatives aligned with the University's strategic priorities and global partnerships, including stewardship of Franklin University's $3 million Title III grant. In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Bennett teaches at the doctoral level and serves as lead faculty for the higher education focus within Franklin's Doctor of Education and Master of Education programs. He is a member of the Fulbright Specialist Roster. He contributes expertise in academic leadership, quality assurance, and institutional capacity-building to international partnerships as a member of the U.S. State Department's Speakers Program. Dr. Bennett holds a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Leadership. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a Quality Matters–certified peer reviewer, and he is an author and speaker on higher education leadership and technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

Education

2018
Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska)
Doctor of Education, Interdisciplinary Leadership
2006
Franklin University (Columbus, Ohio)
Master of Business Administration, Business
2005
Franklin University (Columbus, Ohio)
Bachelor of Science, Information Technology

Certifications

Accelerated K-12 Reviewer Course for Higher Education, Quality Matters
Peer Reviewer Course (PRC), Quality Matters
Applying the QM Rubric - (APPQMR), Quality Matters
Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute, Expiration Date: 2022

Work Experience

2026 - Present
Franklin University, Vice President, Academic Quality & Planning and Dean, H.K. and Eva James College of Education
2019 - 2026
Franklin University, Vice President, Academic Quality & Planning and Dean, School of Education
2019 - 2019
Franklin University, Vice President and Dean of the International Institute for Innovative Instruction
2017 - 2019
Franklin University, Vice President, International Institute for Innovative Instruction & Global Operations
2016 - 2017
Franklin University, Vice President of Operations, Global Programs & Co-Executive Director of i4
2014 - 2016
Franklin University, VP of Operations, FULS
2013 - 2014
Franklin University, VP, Franklin Learning Solutions
2012 - 2013
Franklin University, Executive Director, Planning and University Services
2009 - 2012
Franklin University, Executive Director, Campus Services
2007 - 2016
Franklin University, Adjunct Faculty
2006 - 2009
Franklin University, Director of Project Management Office
2005 - 2006
Franklin University, Lead Project Manager
2004 - 2005
Franklin University, Project Manager
2003 - 2004
Franklin University, Web Technician + System Analyst
2002 - 2003
Franklin University, Help Desk Technician
2001 - 2002
Franklin University, Tutor
2000 - 2003
I.A. Systems, Principal, Pickerington, Ohio

Publications & Presentations

Preuss, M., Bennett, P., Renner, B., & Wanstreet, C. (2023). Factors influencing retention of online adult learners: A case study of a private institution. International Journal of Research in Education and Science ((9) 1), pp. 1-16.
Looney, K., Jones, B., Bennett, P., & Sweetland, Y. (2022). Adaptive Advising through Text Messaging: Adviser Motives and Institutional Support for Texting Students. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration (25(3)), pp. 1-17.
Bennett, P. (2021, Oct. 22). The Great Unbundling: Micro-credentials, Microlearning, and the EdTech Influence on Higher Education. Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education: Articulation and Transfer Conference.
Bennett, P. (2021, Sep. 16). The Great Unbundling: Micro-credentials, Microlearning, and the EdTech Influence on Higher Education. The Raymond E. Mason Jr. Leadership Symposium.
Bennett, P. (2021, Mar. 31). Leveraging Tensions to Create Strategic Agility. Business and Entrepreneurship International Conference, Egypt and Oman.
Bennett, P., & Gardner, J. (2020, Aug. 12). Learning through COVID-19: The Potential Positive Effects of Distancing. GradLeaders Webinar, Online.
Bennett, P., & Wanstreet, C. (2020, Feb. 26). Holistic Student Support: Research-Inspired Practice. Inspiring Practices for Student Success, Columbus Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2019, Feb. 26). Holistic Student Support: Research-Inspired Practice. Gardner Institute, Inspiring Practices for Student Success, Columbus Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2018, Dec. 31). eLearning Programs & e-resources. International Visitor Leadership Program, Columbus, Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2018, Mar. 31). Open Education Resources and E-course Resources. State of the State, Westerville, Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2018, Jan. 31). Paradox Leadership Approaches. Erasmus + Visiting Scholar, Torun, Poland.
Bennett, P. (2017). Applying Project Management Strategies in a Large Curriculum Conversion Project in Higher Education. (3) Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration.
Bennett, P. (2016, Oct. 31). Leadership in Technology-Enhanced Transnational Tertiary Education: A Case Study. Learning Showcase, Columbus, Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2015, Jun. 30). Best Practices in Administering eLearning Programs. U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Columbus, Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2015, Apr. 30). Technology in Education: Driving to Partnership with Learners, International Visitor Leadership Program. U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Columbus, Ohio.
Bennett, P. (2014, Apr. 30). Technology in Education: Driving to Partnership with Learners. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bennett, P. (2013, Nov. 30). Transforming Higher Education: Integrating Theory, Practice & Technology in Teaching and Learning. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bennett, P. (2013, May. 31). Project Leadership. San Salvador, El Salvador.
Bennett, P. (2013, May. 31). Project Leadership. Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Bennett, P. (2011, Oct. 31). Franklin University's Success Story. Campus Technology Webcast.
Bennett, P. (2011, Mar. 31). Theoretical Systems Approaches to Project Portfolio Management. TeamDynamixHE Advisory Council Annual meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bennett, P. (2010, Jul. 31). IT Project Portfolio Governance. Campus Technology Conference, Boston, MA.
Bennett, P. (2009, Mar. 31). Project Portfolio Management in Higher Education. It's not all about the Money. Educause Midwest Conference, Chicago, IL.
Bennett, P. (2008). Project Portfolio Management in Higher Education. It's not all about the Money. TeamDynamix. http://community.teamdynamix.com/columns/13/Project_Portfolio_Management_in_Higher_Education_–_It’s_not_all_about_the_Money
Bennett, P. (2007, Oct. 31). Document Imaging and Financial Aid: Leveraging Your Enterprise Resource Planning System to Maximize Business Effectiveness. Hershey EDU Conference, Adelphi, MD.
Bennett, P. (2006). We All Have a Role to Play: Ideas are for Everybody. Franklin University Leadership Lessons. http://leadership.franklin.edu/LL046.htm

Professional Service

2019
Faculty Advisor
Franklin University
(Columbus, Ohio)
2017
Project Director
Title III Grant
(Columbus , Ohio)
2016
Board Member
Metro Early College High School
(Columbus , Ohio)
2016
Committee Member
Academic Council
2012
Chairperson
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
(Columbus, Ohio)
2010
Committee Member
President's Staff
2005
Committee Chair
Self-Study Steering Committee, Sub-Committee Criterion 3
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2008

Memberships

2022
The United States Department of State U.S. Speaker Program
The U.S. Speaker Program recruits dynamic American experts to engage international audiences on topics of strategic importance to the United States. Programs are conducted in person and through virtual engagement platforms. Key policy priorities include security such as countering disinformation and cybersecurity; defeating ISIS and extremist groups; economic prosperity; educational diplomacy; energy security; and open government and civil society. The office conducts approximately 650 speaker programs annually.