Dr. Benjamin C. Flores joined the faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. He is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Acting Dean of the Graduate School. He has held several administrative positions including Associate Dean for Graduate Studies for the College of Engineering, Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and Interim Chair of the Computer Science Department.
Dr. Flores is an expert in retention strategies for non-traditional undergraduate and graduate students in the STEM disciplines. From 1999 to 2007 he was the Project Director of the NSF supported Model Institutions for Excellence Initiative. Currently he is Director of two NSF funded programs: the UT System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, the Bridge to the Doctorate Program. Through his work on student retention issues, he has gained international recognition as an expert in the effectiveness and impact of strategies for access to higher education. He regularly consults with other institutions, nationally and abroad, on these issues.