Meg Benke, a professor and academic area coordinator with SUNY Empire State College’s School for Graduate Studies, has been elected to serve on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Executive Committee.

Benke will continue her service to Middle States as a commissioner and as chair of the commission’s committee on substantive change.

The executive committee, which meets monthly, has authority to take final action on recommendations related to accreditation, substantive change and follow-up.

Middle States announced Benke’s selection in its most recent monthly newsletter.

“Election to Middle State’s executive committee is a great personal and professional honor and I am grateful to President Hancock, my faculty colleagues at SUNY Empire and my fellow commissioners for their continuing support,” said Benke. “Serving on a nationally recognized accreditor is essential for SUNY Empire, as it provides a voice of quality for adult and other nontraditional students, nontraditional modes of education and the awarding credit. Ensuring a high-quality education for all students is at the heart of all we do.”

Recognized internationally as a leader in continuing education and adult learning, Benke was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Hall of Fame was created to honor leaders in the fields of continuing education and adult learning and to serve as a record and inspiration for the next generation of continuing education leaders.

Benke has devoted her entire career to increasing access, expanding choices and improving the quality of education for adult and nontraditional students. In addition, she has worked to advance professionalism in her fields and as an advocate for students at the state and national levels.