University of Pennsylvania

Tonya R. Bennett serves as Director of Educational Technology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, where she guides educational technology strategy that supports teaching, learning and institutional goals. Her career spans instructional technology, learning systems and digital strategy. Her work consistently reflects an emphasis on accessibility, practical technology adoption and community building across higher education.

Making Accessibility Part of Everyday Decisions

Educational technology leaders face a recurring challenge.  Digital tools often promise broader access, yet the way those tools are selected, configured and maintained can determine whether learners participate fully or encounter new barriers.

Bennett has made accessibility a central part of that conversation.  She has publicly argued that accessibility should be treated as infrastructure rather than an optional feature, framing digital inclusion as an ongoing institutional responsibility instead of a one-time compliance exercise.  Her perspective is also evident in her work at Penn, where she has discussed the importance of designing websites and digital resources so people with disabilities can complete tasks with the same level of independence as other users.

Her responsibilities go above recommending technology. They require balancing educational needs with governance, user experience and evolving accessibility expectations inside a large research university.  Those decisions influence how technology supports instructors and students rather than becoming another administrative obstacle.

Turning Technology Into Practical Academic Support

Educational technology leadership is often measured less by the software deployed than by how effectively people can use it. Faculty adoption, student confidence and reliable implementation frequently determine whether an initiative succeeds.

Bennett's career demonstrates that practical focus. Her earlier projects included implementing student information systems, developing digital attendance management tools and supporting technology used for competency assessments in professional education.  More recently, she has served as an academic affairs liaison during the implementation of attendance technology integrated with learning management and student information systems. She has helped establish examination protocols while supporting academic integrity throughout the rollout.

Those responsibilities illustrate a leadership style centered on connecting institutional requirements with everyday academic practice.  Technology becomes useful when it reduces administrative friction and supports consistent educational experiences rather than adding another layer of complexity.

Growing Professional Communities Alongside Technology

Higher education technology evolves through collaboration as much as technical expertise. Institutions regularly confront similar questions around artificial intelligence, accessibility and digital teaching, making professional networks an important source of shared practice.

Bennett has invested considerable effort in those communities through EDUCAUSE. Her involvement has included leadership positions with the Young Professionals Advisory Committee, participation on the Recognition Committee, contributions to the EDUCAUSE Top 10 IT Issues initiative and leadership within the Women in IT Community Group.  Her published work and conference participation frequently explore digital equity, professional growth and the relationship between technology decisions and institutional culture.

That combination of institutional leadership and professional engagement broadens the perspective she brings to her role. Rather than viewing educational technology as a collection of tools, her work places equal attention on the people responsible for implementing, maintaining and improving those systems over time.

Educational technology continues to expand alongside growing expectations for accessibility, responsible AI adoption and dependable digital learning environments. Bennett's work reflects the practical judgment required to navigate those expectations.  Her focus is on inclusive design, careful implementation and sustained professional collaboration. Through this emphasis, she demonstrates how educational technology leadership can strengthen learning experiences while remaining responsive to the realities facing higher education institutions.