In early 2024, Judith Benz was appointed as the new Director of Undergraduate Studies after Denise Della Rossa, who had held the position for over a decade, announced her retirement. Professor Benz, also a Nanovic Institute faculty fellow, embraced this new opportunity as a great way to expand her mentorship role and work with students while promoting the many opportunities Notre Dame’s German Program offers.
Professor Benz’s journey to becoming the Director of Undergraduate Studies in German at Notre Dame is a story of curiosity, bold decisions, and a profound passion for language and culture. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Professor Benz grew up surrounded by the vibrant intellectual life of one of Europe’s great cities. Yet, it was a summer internship across the Atlantic that would set her on a path she never expected.
During her undergraduate studies at the University of Frankfurt, Professor Benz took a summer job in Virginia, working as an interpreter for a Hummel painter at Busch Gardens. The experience of being immersed in American culture was insightful for her, but it was her conversations with students and faculty from the College of William and Mary that left the most profound impressions. The spirit of generosity and the tight-knit learning environment at William and Mary contrasted greatly with the large public institution she attended in Germany. Inspired, she embarked on a year of study abroad only to make the life-changing decision to transfer, eventually graduating from William and Mary and continuing her studies at Yale, where she earned her doctorate in German literature and gained her first experience in the classroom.
Professor Benz’s professional career began at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where she served as Visiting Professor of German. She also held a visiting appointment at Ithaca College and eventually became director of the German Program at Juniata College, a small liberal arts college in Central Pennsylvania. There, she taught extensively, mentored students, grew the program, collaborated with colleagues from other disciplines, and served on a number of faculty committees. However, it was another summer experience, participation in the 2019 Notre Dame Berlin Seminar for faculty, organized by the Department of German and Russian, that ended up bringing her to the Midwest. Deeply impressed by the academic community and institutional resources of Notre Dame, she accepted the offer to join the University in 2020 as a Teaching Professor of German and Undergraduate Language Program Coordinator, leaving a tenured position at Juniata.
Arriving at Notre Dame during the COVID-19 pandemic was a unique challenge. Classes were a mix of in-person and online formats, and building connections with students and colleagues took additional effort. Professor Benz quickly adapted, nevertheless. As Language Program Coordinator, she took it upon herself to restructure the introductory German courses to fit new scheduling formats and create innovative online modules. Despite the challenges, she found a welcoming atmosphere and a community of students who shared her passion for learning.
Professor Benz also strives to impart her enthusiasm for the German language and culture outside the classroom. The St. Martin’s Day-themed Kaffeestunde she introduced and organizes jointly with Notre Dame’s German Club, has become somewhat of a tradition in the Department, and the student-decorated paper lanterns displayed in the Max Kade Commons lounge space adorn the space during the holiday season.
Considering her path, it is no surprise that Professor Benz is an enthusiastic supporter of study abroad. Promoting the exciting opportunities Nore Dame offers in German-speaking countries will become a greater focus for her in her new role as Director of Undergraduate Studies in German.
Outside of work, Professor Benz’s life blends the South Bend charm and a touch of German nostalgia. She loves the local cultural offerings and cycling to campus (whenever it’s safe), though she still misses the hearty bread and pastries from back home. When she’s not teaching or mentoring, she can often be seen walking her dog on campus.
Professor Benz is excited to continue exploring her new role as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in German. Building on her earlier contributions to the Department of German and Russian, she sees this opportunity as a chance to cultivate student interest in studying in the Department and abroad, enriching their Notre Dame experience and opening up exciting career trajectories.
Originally published by at germanandrussian.nd.edu on December 10, 2024.