Faculty Profile: 
Dr. Galen Benson (C’89)

IN MAY, DR. GALEN BENSON (C’89) WAS RECOGNIZED AS PRINCIPIA COLLEGE TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR THE SECOND TIME, a teaching honor notable for the fact that it’s chosen by the students themselves. We caught up with the ninth-year education professor to find out what makes him tick:

What were you doing before teaching at Principia?

I taught GED, cognitive education, and parenting in the Colorado State prison system—in prisons ranging from minimum-security to near-maximum-security. I was also on the Crisis Response Team, where I was trained at the FBI hostage negotiation school. 

This taught me about active learning, active listening, and problem-solving, all of which have enhanced my understanding of communication and the importance of critical thinking. 

How did teaching in prison inform your teaching at Principia?

Teaching felons caused me to reflect on the Bible’s statement that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. All doesn’t only include “good” people! I could see [each inmate] as the image of God and treat them with dignity and respect. Treating others with empathy, dignity, and respect is how I approached my interactions then and it’s the same approach I take today, whether walking down the street in a new city, sitting on a subway with strangers, or interacting with students in a Principia classroom. 

If you were not a college professor, what would be your chosen line of work?

During high school, I decided to try new jobs every few years. My experiences have spanned fields such as sales, government, travel, entertainment, finance, athletics, and education. But overall, education has been the most personally fulfilling and the area where I have had the most positive impact.