Andrea Benna joined the University of Missouri as a full-time staff member in 2007. In her current position as the Associate Director of Compliance for Financial Aid, Benna’s primary responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of financial aid and playing and practice seasons, was well as provision of rules interpretations and management of legislative initiatives. Benna formerly served as the Assistant Director of Compliance for Eligibility and Recruiting from 2010 through 2016, the Compliance Coordinator for Eligibility and Recruiting from 2007 through 2010, and as a part-time staff member, in the role of law extern and as a work study student, from 2005 through 2007. Her previous responsibilities include monitoring of all on- and off-campus recruiting activities, oversight of initial and continuing eligibility and amateurism, facilitation of transfer requests, and preparation of NCAA and conference waivers, among other responsibilities. Benna is a member of the National Association for Athletics Compliance and the National Association of College Women Athletics Administrators. She currently serves on the NAAC Education Certification committee, with subcommittee oversight of certification content management.
Benna has been a member of Sunrise Southwest Rotary since 2011. She currently serves as the Fundraising Chair, with primary oversight for the Kick-Off Cook-Off, an event which she helped initiate in 2014, and will be joining the Board of Directors in the summer of 2016. Prior to joining rotary, Benna spent a year with Rotaract of Columbia and filled the role of Community Service Chair. Benna was also involved with Voluntary Action Center from 2008 through 2015, serving in numerous capacities, including as committee chair for Spring into Action and Trivia Night, as well as in a variety of officer positions. More recently, Benna served as a member of the Board of Directors for Susan G. Komen Missouri (formerly Mid-Missouri) during 2014 and 2015, taking over responsibility for special events planning, in particular the Pink Promise Tea, an annual event which celebrates breast cancer survivors. Benna previously served on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri (formerly Mid-Missouri) from 2009 through 2014, including as an officer, and assisted with the organization’s annual roast and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Benna was recognized by the Columbia Business Times for her professional achievement and community involvement as a member of the 20 Under 40 class of 2014 and was named the Sunrise Southwest Rotarian of the Year for 2015.
Benna is a native of Lake Mykee, Mo., and graduated from Helias High School in Jefferson City, Mo. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Classical Humanities from the University of Missouri in 2004, followed by her Juris Doctor in 2007, joining the Missouri Bar Association in the same year.
