Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Andrew Owen Behnke

  • Professor - School of Family & Consumer Sciences
Portrait of Dr. Andrew Owen Behnke

Biography and expertise

Dr. Andrew Behnke is a professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State. Dr. Behnke grew up in Plano Texas and received his PhD at Purdue University. From 2005-2019, he was a Professor and Extension Specialist at NC State University. Dr. Behnke and Cintia Aguilar developed the Juntos Program which has helped thousands of Latino youth from across the country get to college and achieve their dreams. Dr. Behnke is an advisor to non-profit agencies in the areas of program development, evaluation, and grant writing. Dr. Behnke loves writing grants that have a real-world impact on those with limited resources. His life's mission is helping youth and their families thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Education

Doctorate Degree

PhD in Child Development and Family Studies

Purdue University Main Campus, 2005

Master's Degree

MS in Family and Human Development

Utah State University, 2002

Bachelor's Degree

BS in Speech Language Pathology

Brigham Young University, 1999

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

  • Goble, Priscilla Maria (Principal), Shen, Yishan (Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Supporting), Alfaro, Edna C (Supporting), Seo, Eunjin (Supporting), Behnke, Andrew Owen (Supporting). REU Site: Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS) Fellowship Program, National Science Foundation, Federal, $439005. (Submitted: September 2023, Funded: September 2024 - August 2027). Grant.
  • Draw-Hood, Rukeia (Principal), Percent Contribution: %20, Behnke, Andrew Owen (Supporting), Percent Contribution: %20. Juntos: Prairie View A&M University Sustainable Community Project., NIFA, Federal, $640000. (Funded: August 1, 2021 - July 30, 2026). Grant.
  • Seo, Eunjin (Principal), Alfaro, Edna C (Co-Principal), Behnke, Andrew Owen (Co-Principal), Dier, Shannon Elizabeth (Co-Principal), Goble, Priscilla Maria (Co-Principal), Shen, Yishan (Co-Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Co-Principal). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS): A Two-Track Training Program, TXST College of Applied Arts, Texas State University, $6000. (Submitted: September 2026, Funded: October 2026 - May 2027). Grant.
  • Perez, Renee (Principal), Percent Contribution: %50, Behnke, Andrew Owen (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %35. Strengthening Relationships/ Strengthening Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Federal, $6250000. (Funded: January 1, 2026 - December 1, 2031). Grant.
  • Shen, Yishan (Principal), Alfaro, Edna C (Co-Principal), Behnke, Andrew Owen (Co-Principal), Dier, Shannon Elizabeth (Co-Principal), Goble, Priscilla Maria (Co-Principal), Weimer, Amy Ann (Co-Principal), Seo, Eunjin (Co-Principal). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Human Development and Family Sciences (OUR HDFS): A Two-Track Training Program, TXST College of Applied Arts, Texas State University, $5000. (Submitted: October 2025, Funded: November 2025 - May 2026). Grant.
View all grants
  • Saha, S., Okafor, H. R., Biediger-Friedman, L. M., & Behnke, A. O. (2023). Association between diet and symptoms of anxiety and depression in college students: A systematic review. Journal of American College Health, (June, 2021), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1926267
  • Pierfax, C. M., Behnke, A. O., Boren-Alpizar, A., Briers, G., Elblert, C., & Lawver, D. (n.d.). Reframing agriculture as STEM: Lessons for engaging Black youth in 4-H. Journal of Extension.
  • Behnke, A. O., Urieta, D., & Aguilar, C. (2025). Juntos Program Middle School Family Curriculum. NC State Press.
  • Behnke, A. O., Urieta, D., & Aguilar, C. (2025). Juntos Program High School Family Curriculum. NC State Press.
  • Robledo, M. V., Edwards, M. B., Bocarro, J. N., Behnke, A. O., & Casper, J. M. (2022). Examination of ecological systems contexts within a Latino-based community sport youth development initiative. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4.
View all scholarly/creative works
  • Award / Honor Recipient: NC State University Faculty Scholar, NC State University. February 10, 2015 - May 15, 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Bright Spot in Hispanic Education, The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence. January 1, 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Early Achievement Award, National Extension Family Life Specialist Conference. November 15, 2011

  1. See annual review Document for other information on Teaching, Research, and Service