I am interested in exploring how collaboration contributes to locally driven development efforts. Through my work with non-governmental organizations in Guatemala, my scholarship is grounded in collective and adaptive leadership focused on advancing large systems change.

• Community engagement
• Community-based global learning
• Qualitative and engaged research
• Leadership learning and development

• Spring 2023 Staley School of Leadership Rost Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award
• 2022 International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Dissertation Award
• 2021 K-State College of Education Social Justice Award

• Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative, Knowledge Action Team
• International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement
• International Leadership Association
• Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., Advisor
• UFM Community Leaning Center, Board Member

• Priest, K. L., & Benavides, M. T. (in press). From individual to collective impact in leadership education. In J. P. Dugan, S. E. Patterson, & K. C. Skendell (Eds.), The handbook for leadership education & impact. Edward Elgar Publishing (UK).
• Benavides, M. T. (2024). Weaving partnerships: Liberatory collaborations in community-based learning. In E. Hartman, S. Allred, J. Oluaoch-Aridi, M. Morales, & A. Huberman (Eds.). Higher education for the world we need: Beyond reforms and toward liberation [Co-edited blog series]. The CBGL Collaborative. https://www.cbglcollab.org/blog/ureegiob2q70xyjon3uxdx7fp8pgol
• Arkedis, J., Benavides, M. T., Dessein, L., Kniffin, L., Ospina, S. M., & Priest, K. L. (2023). Collective leadership for sustainable development: Evidence from research and practice. People First Community. https://linktr.ee/peoplefirstdev
• Nyunt, G., Niehaus, E., & Benavides, M. T. (2022). A catalyst for learning or reinforcement of inequities: Using a critical hope lens to understand the potential and limitations of short-term study abroad in fostering students’ ability to effectively interact across differences. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/dhe0000421

• Ph.D. in leadership communication, Kansas State University
• Graduate certificate in qualitative research, Kansas State University
• Graduate cetificate in conflict resolution, Kansas State Univesity
• M.A. in student affairs administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• B.A. in Spanish, Kansas State University
• B.S. in secondary education, Kansas State University

Hanging out with my spouse and my children at the end of the day brings me joy and new energy!