Assistant Professor of Psychology
Contact
(805) 678-5317
cbenavidesblack@vcccd.edu
Office
Letters and Science - O (LS-O)
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara
Whittier College
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Claremont Graduate University
Awards
Intellectual Achievement and Faculty Tribute Award Recipient awarded by Harvard Graduate School of Education
Research Scientist of the Year Award from AS&F Foundation and Claremont Graduate University
Research Fellowship with California Alliance for Open Education (CAopenEd)
Picture of Dr. Celina's Face
About

Dr. Celina Benavides is a developmental psychologist committed to supporting students’ educational and career outcomes using a strength-based approach to learning. Her research, teaching, and program work centers on equity and educational success for students by focusing on connections among schools, families, and the community.

She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Claremont Graduate University where she focused on supporting community college students’ retention and earning of certificates, their Associate’s degree, and transferring to a four-year university. Dr. Benavides also earned an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a MA in Education with a Preliminary Single Subject Mathematics Credential from Whittier College.

For more information about Dr. Benavides' work, visit 

Publications
Benavides, C. M., Sidiqi, M., Ruiz-Mesa, K., & Ribera, D. (2022). Supporting first generation Latinx freshmen: The importance of university resources, faculty, and peers. Journal of Latinos and Education. doi: 10.1080/15348431.2022.2141748
Wray-Lake, L., Burkhard, G., Benavides, C., & Wilf, S. (2021). The development of youth civic engagement: Exploring micro- and macro-social processes. In A. Kostic & D. Chadee (Eds.), Positive psychology: An international perspective (pp. 152-176). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Riches, B., Benavides, C. M., & Dubon, V. (2020). Development of a fostering purpose intervention. Evaluation and Program Planning, 83, 1-11.
Cotton Bronk, K., Baumsteiger, R., Mangan, S., Riches, B., Dubon, V., Benavides, C. M., & Bono, G. (2019). Fostering purpose among young adults: Effective online interventions. Journal of Character Education, 15(2), 21-38.
Wray-Lake, L., Rote, W., Victorino, C., & Benavides, C. M. (2014). Examining developmental transitions in civic engagement across adolescence: Evidence from a national U.S. sample. International Journal of Developmental Science, 8(3-4), 95-104. doi: 10.3233/DEV-14142
Wray-Lake, L., Flanagan, C. A., Benavides, C. M., & Shubert, J. (2013). A mixed methods examination of adolescents’ reports of the values emphasized in their families. Social Development, 23, 573-592. doi: 10.1111/sode.12065
Benavides, C. & Lopez, A. (2011). Early Childhood Education for the 21st Century: Linking Research, Language, and Culture. Washington, DC: National Council of La Raza.
Benavides, C. & Lopez, A. (Eds.). (2011). NCLR Core Qualities for Successful Early Childhood Education Programs Tool Kit. Washington, DC: National Council of La Raza.
Pronouns
she/her