Benveniste Propels BESST Program to New Heights with Significant Expansion
Imagine having the power to change the world, even just a little—by opening the doors of opportunity for aspiring engineers. Dorothy Benveniste is on a mission to do just that. Her recent, monumental gift is set to expand the Beach Engineering Student Success Team (BESST) by a staggering 66% this fall, touching the lives of more than 200 students and reshaping their futures.
Benveniste did not make this decision lightly. After a deep and thoughtful exploration of what it would take to ensure more students could access the life-changing benefits of BESST, she made the leap.
"Supporting BESST is my way of ensuring that every student, no matter where they come from, has the chance to succeed," said Benveniste. "It’s about more than just getting through college; it’s about thriving—about giving these students the tools to transform their lives and, ultimately, their communities. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing young engineers rise to their full potential and then give back to the world."
For Benveniste, this mission is profoundly personal. Her own journey to becoming an engineer was fraught with challenges—it took nearly a decade, with the unwavering support of mentors and friends, to make the leap. But she persevered, retiring as a senior project engineer at Boeing, a testament to the power of her determination and support.
"The Beach Engineering Student Success Team is a beacon of hope for so many, and I am incredibly proud to be part of it," said Benveniste. "This program embodies everything that’s essential for student success: community, perseverance, and the creation of opportunity."
BESST is no ordinary program. It’s an intensive, all-encompassing first-year experience designed to lift up students during one of the most critical times in their academic lives. With smaller classes, peer mentors who have walked the path before them, free tutoring, career exploration, and more, BESST provides a foundation that many students could only dream of. And now, thanks to Benveniste’s extraordinary generosity, the program is expanding to nine cohorts, reaching over 200 students for the first time ever.
"I believe education is the most powerful tool we have to change lives," Benveniste stated passionately. "Through BESST, we’re not just helping students pass their courses—we’re building a resilient community that will drive long-term success."
BESST isn’t just making a difference—it’s changing the narrative for engineering students from diverse and academically disadvantaged backgrounds. The results are astounding: students who complete BESST pass Calculus 1—a crucial hurdle in the engineering journey—at a rate of over 85%. Moreover, 89% of them stay on the engineering path, outperforming their peers and defying the odds.
What started as a small initiative with just 12 students in 2013 has grown into a transformative program. Over the past decade, BESST has supported more than 500 students, helping them conquer fundamental courses and persist to earn engineering degrees at rates that surpass their peers. The program’s structure—built around peer cohorts, daily interaction with tutors and faculty, and a relentless commitment to excellence—ensures that most BESST students maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.
The success of BESST was so powerful that it inspired the launch of the campus-wide BeachXP program in the 2023-2024 school year. The additional resources have already set new records, with BESST enrolling over 100 students last year—a record that is poised to be shattered again this year, thanks in no small part to Benveniste’s unwavering support.
"I owe so much to the mentors who guided me—they were generous with their time, their wisdom, and their belief in me," Benveniste reflected. "Now, it’s my turn to give back—to pay it forward and ensure that the next generation of engineers has the support they need to succeed."
Benveniste’s commitment to engineering education does not stop with BESST. She has become a cornerstone of the College of Engineering community, regularly meeting with recipients of her endowed scholarship—specifically aimed at BESST graduates—speaking at BESST graduation ceremonies and playing a key role in the 100+ Women Strong Steering Committee.
The mission of 100+ Women Strong is to mentor and support young women engineers, both on campus and beyond. Under Benveniste’s leadership, the annual BEACH Women in Engineering Conference has grown into a major event, drawing over 400 students and 80 speakers. Several students have also been awarded the 100+ Women Strong scholarship, further extending her impact.
"In my view, the meaning of life is to find your passion and then do something about it," Benveniste said, with the conviction of someone who has lived those words.
During her illustrious career as Project Engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, she led critical projects in flight controls, payloads, airframe, and structures subsystems. From problem detection to solution implementation, she managed complex challenges across the international in-service fleet of 747 and 767 aircraft.
