Amaris Benavidez

Amaris Benavidez (she/her) is a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Education & Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this role, she leads the higher education policy portfolio and supports Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) in his efforts to improve access, equity, and affordability in higher education.

Amaris was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She an alumna of CHCI’s 2021-2022 Graduate Fellowship Program, where she served as the Walton Family Foundation Education Graduate Fellow with the House Education and Labor Committee. Amaris received her B.S. in computer science from Columbia University and her M.A. in higher education from Boston College. She is a proud first-generation college graduate, and her experiences as a student and student affairs practitioner continue to guide her career towards ensuring all students have equitable access to high-quality education, from preschool through college. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, dancing, and reading.

As the National Vice President for Leadership Development, Amaris is excited to help alumni develop personally and professionally through providing mentorship opportunities, developing affinity spaces, and implementing other creative alumni engagement opportunities.