The Chief Academic Office supports the Bureau of Indian Education in implementing its vision, mission, priorities, and strategic direction. The CAO oversees the BIE's standards, assessment, and accountability system, as outlined in the BIE's Agency Plan. Additionally, the CAO collaborates with Associate Deputy Directors and their teams in the Education Resource Center to develop and implement academic programs. This collaboration ensures that effective school improvement processes are focused on student success and preparedness for future endeavors while respecting the culture and language of tribal communities. Furthermore, the BIE's CAO unit includes the Native American Student Information System (NASIS) team, which works with all BIE divisions to collect data and certify student information annually.
Chief Academic Officer
Carmelia Becenti, Ed.D., is Dine (Navajo) from Arizona. She is of the Coyote Pass Clan and was born for the Towering People Clan; her maternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water Clan, and her paternal grandfather is of the Sleeping Rock People. As the Chief Academic Officer of the Bureau of Indian Education, Becenti works with a robust team alongside school leaders and staff to implement, monitor, and evaluate the BIE’s standards, assessment, and accountability system. Over the last four years, Becenti has created partnerships with several support teams to provide professional development and other improvement programs to bring the best academic opportunities to BIE students.
Becenti has participated in Bureau-wide initiatives to develop and improve school leaders by working with research education laboratories to create a school leader playbook and design professional learning that includes academics, budgets, personnel, and tribal governance. She continues collaborating with stakeholders when change is necessary to make significant improvements within systems and processes through reviewing, revising, and creating programs and policies for schools and/or BIE divisions. Becenti is skilled in networking with organizations, tribal colleges, universities, state departments, and tribal entities to provide educational services to tribally controlled and Bureau operated schools.
Becenti has more than two decades of K-12 education experience working as a teacher, library/media specialist, school improvement specialist, school principal, education program specialist, and supervisory education program specialist in the Bureau of Indian Education. She enjoys building the capacity of all staff, inspiring teams, and motivating learning communities rooted in the Native culture to ensure student success in the K-12 school system and in post-secondary college/career opportunities.
Becenti earned a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in Education, and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University, Tempe.
