Alexis Piñero-Benson

M.M., Shenandoah Conservatory and University
B.M., Shenandoah Conservatory and University

Alexis Piñero-Benson joined the wildcat community in December 2021 as Director of Community Standards, following three years as the inaugural Director of Student Conduct at the State University of New York at Oswego. At UNH, Alexis provides leadership in establishing a preeminent, comprehensive student conduct program focused on ethical development, learning and rehabilitation and is responsible for the overall administration of the university-wide conduct system including component campuses at UNH College of Professional Studies in Manchester and online and the Franklin Pierce School of Law in Concord. 

A nationally recognized expert in student conduct administration, Alexis was recognized by the Association of Student Conduct Administrators with the Individual Award of Excellence in 2021; a peer-nominated award for individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of their campus and community, service to the profession and demonstrated their commitment to education and mentoring. His interests concern music in an expanded field, music in an expanded field, specifically the utility of music to build empathy and resilience and its ability to influence personal, interpersonal and social relationships, decision-making and organization transformation. 

In previous experience, Alexis served as Assistant Director of Community Standards at Berklee College of Music and was one of the institution’s Equity and Title IX Investigators for student complaints of harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct and Title IX, in addition to supporting the institution in meeting the necessary regulatory review and approval requirements when it merged with The Boston Conservatory in 2016. Alexis has also held other professional roles at Mitchell College, Barry University, and was Director of Campus Life with the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Assistant Dean of Students at the Brevard Music Institute and Festival, and Assistant Director of Student Life at the Tanglewood Music Festival (BUTI & TMC).  Prior to UNH he was Vice-Chair of Equity and Inclusion for Region 10 ASCA and Treasurer for SUNY-Student Conduct Association. 

A native of New York and first-generation college student, Alexis is a two-time graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, holding master's and bachelor’s degrees in voice performance and a minor in collaborative piano, and is a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha (ΦΜΑ) Sinfonia Fraternity. A 2018 alum of the Susan Vogt Leadership Fellows Program, Alexis has also obtained certifications from ATIXA, SUNY-Student Conduct Institute, Restorative Community Practices of Vermont, Management of Aggressive Behavior International, and the Gehring Academy. True to his formative educational discipline, Alexis is a lifelong student and ambassador for the performing arts, and from 2015-2018 held the Janette Vandemotter Endowed Visiting Artist-in-Residence position at Notre Dame College; a diversity initiative of the President and Scholars of Color.