Windham's Paul Bencal to Direct UNH's Emerging Technology Center

A familiar Windham name was present at the ribbon cutting this week the Emerging Technology Center of UNH Manchester, where he will serve as director.

Paul Bencal was appointed in 2009 as Dean of Business and Technology at Windham High School.

According to a release, in a three-year period Bencal developed an innovative curriculum for the WHS Computer Science, Business & Marketing, Digital Media, Television Communications, Engineering, and Applied Technology programs.

The new UNH Emerging Technology Center opened in January at the Pandora Mill in Manchester.

“The center will become a melting pot for students from all academic programs, working together to gain hands-on, marketable experience while solving real world problems and providing a valuable resource for our business community,” said Bencal in a release.

The release goes on to give other details regarding the center:

Bencal believes the UNH Emerging Technology Center is uniquely positioned to respond to the current industry trend toward increased outsourcing by offering advanced student skills in software development, engineering services, digital media, and business services, ultimately creating a new, innovative paradigm in higher education

Bencal has also taught college-level Computer Science courses at Southern New Hampshire University in both face-to-face and online environments.

He previously spent 15 years in product marketing and operations management working for major corporations throughout the Merrimack Valley technology belt.

Those included Wang Laboratories, Analogic Corporation and Memec Inc.