Dr. Rosamel S. Benavides-Garb is a professor of Spanish language, culture, and Latin American literature. He began his undergraduate studies at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile, and completed his master and doctoral studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. He received his doctorate degree in Romance Languages.
Before assuming the position of Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, he was a long-time Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Humboldt, a multi-program department housing, at some point, six distinctive programs: Chinese Studies, Ethnic Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, International Studies and Spanish.
Dr. Benavides-Garb has an extensive international background in administration and development of international programs in four continents. He was instrumental in revitalizing a signature study abroad program, the Oaxaca Program, in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is now the oldest Humboldt program abroad. He created the Quito Program in Quito, Ecuador, and had a leadership role in the creation of the León Program in Leon, Spain. In addition, he led the creation of the first Humboldt Senegal Program in Dakar, Senegal, and the Nantes Program in Nantes, France. He was also a key leader in the creation of the Humboldt College in Xi’an International Studies University in Xi’an, China. He was the Dean of this college in China. Dr. Benavides-Garb was also selected by the California State University system as the CSU Resident Director in Spain. He directed two programs in Spain, the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, and the Universidad de Granada in Granada. During this period he was also designated as the US Coordinator of Universidades Reunidas, a consortium of six American universities providing academic programs at the Universidad Complutense. Dr. Benavides-Garb has served as the Humboldt representative to the CSU Academic Council on International Programs and is currently a member of the Humboldt International Advisory Committee and International Program Review Sub-Committee.
Dr. Benavides-Garb has received a National Endowment for the Humanities award to participate and study key “Texts of the Encounters of the Pre-Columbian and Spanish Culture,” at a National Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He has also received a Title VI-A Federal Grant, U.S. Department of Education, to develop international studies focusing on China at Humboldt.
Dr. Benavides-Garb has worked closely with students, for many years, since he first arrived at Cal Poly Humboldt: as an academic advisor for multiple programs, as a mentor, as a club advisor, and as a problem-solving administrator. He feels that this field experience has served him well in the post of Interim Dean when dealing with challenges students often face during their time at Humboldt.
Dr. Benavides-Garb is an immigrant like many Humboldt students, or their families. He learned English as a second language as an adult learner. He humbly sees himself in the eyes of Humboldt Latinx students, their parents, and families. He has a shared experience with them of hard work and commitment to advancement and success.
As a first-generation university graduate, Dr. Benavides-Garb can also relate to the larger populations of Humboldt students who are forging new pathways where previously there were none. He is convinced that education remains one of the most powerful experiences for social mobility in America, but also the most poignant journey of enlightenment, intellectual growth, and spiritual development.
Dr. Benavides-Garb believes that Cal Poly Humboldt is a unique place of retreat for holistic growth. He feels privileged to participate in this remarkable human and natural environment and to make personal and collective contributions to a new generation of educated citizens. He firmly trusts that the post of Interim Dean brings him closer to the transformative mission of the institution and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.