Kennesaw State academic advisor and part-time instructor of sport management Jeffrey Benedict serves his alma mater in more ways than one — he teaches his passion while also advising students on their academic futures.
Benedict finished his undergraduate degree in communications at KSU in the summer of 2013 at age 33, though he never realized how much he would love serving the students until he returned as a professor. He admires the KSU student body and feels blessed to be part of the campus culture.
“When [former Exercise Science and Sports Management Chair] Dr. Jimmy Calloway asked me to come teach in his department, I did not hesitate,” Benedict said. “I was shocked at how much I instantly connected with the students and love I quickly developed.”
Because Benedict is passionate about teaching a niche class, he brings in professionals to recount their personal journeys in the field of sport management.
Benedict teaches the SM 3600 Sports Broadcasting class every semester, and hopes his students not only learn from books but also from listening to those who have experience in the field.
Benedict became an academic advisor for the WellStar College of Health and Human Services a year after he began teaching sport management.
“I love being an academic advisor,” Benedict said. “I get an opportunity to guide students through one of the most important times of their lives. I see and advise more students than any other advisor on campus, and have been recognized by Career Services as a faculty/staff member that makes a difference each of my first three years, which is an honor as you have to be nominated by a new KSU graduate as someone that meant the most to them while here at KSU.”
Benedict was previously a radio show host for CBS Radio in Atlanta and said it was amazing to have a creative outlet to talk about firsthand experiences.
“Being a sports radio host, especially in a city like Atlanta, is the grown-up version of a candy store,” Benedict said. “I got paid to see and do things that people pay a lot of money for.”
During his time in radio, Benedict was able to closely watch Atlanta United, Braves, Falcons and Hawks games as well as talk to players every week.
Benedict initially attended KSU as a student assistant through a basketball scholarship. However, this came with many responsibilities. When the head coach basketball was fired in 2011, Benedict decided to get involved with a friend at the radio station.
Benedict is still heavily involved in the media by working on several projects, yet he is thankful he gets to pursue his passions of education and sports coverage.
“Given my playing days, [my friend] thought we should do a radio show,” Benedict said. “I started with Owl Radio in 2011, and started the Sports Department, and was the Sports Director for 3 years. I won several student media awards and even finished in the top 3 for a couple national student radio awards because of my old radio show.”
Benedict completed his master’s degree in 2016 from Clemson University and he will start his doctoral degree in August 2020.
