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As the Director for Education and Workforce Development at the Q-SEnSE NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute, Dr. Mike Bennett sets strategic educational priorities for the Center and oversees the development and implementation of its two flagship programs, the Quantum Forge and the Quantum Research Exchange.

The Quantum Forge, implemented in partnership with the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is a capstone experience for physics and engineering students interested in transitioning directly into the quantum workforce after graduation. ÌýStudents join project teams sponsored by local quantum companies and work throughout the year on projects contributing directly to their sponsors' quantum technology efforts. ÌýThe Quantum Research Exchange (QRX) is an internship readiness program that builds a community of students, many from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM, and connects them to Front-Range quantum industry leaders. ÌýQRX produces eager, quantum-conversant students ready to step into a variety of non-specialist roles in the burgeoning quantum industry.

In addition to these major programs, Dr. Bennett also leads a study investigating student goals and experiences in quantum education and workforce initiatives. ÌýPrior to his role at Q-SEnSE, Dr. Bennett served as the JILA NSF Physics Frontier Center's Director for Educational Outreach and Research, managing JILA's public engagement efforts and engaging in research on informal physics learning.Ìý He is heavily active in both the quantum education and informal physics education communities and serves on leadership teams for both the American Physical Society Committee for Public Engagement and the Joint Network for Informal Physics Education and Research (JNIPER).

Dr. Bennett obtained his PhD in nuclear physics from Michigan State University in 2016.Ìý Post-COVID, he has been thrilled to return to his pre-pandemic hobbies of exploring local distilleries and performing Friday-night karaoke.