Presenter Bio - Josh Bensink
Josh Bensink (he/him) is currently serving as a Wellness Coaching Coordinator at The Ohio State University where he leads peer-to-peer wellness and financial coaching initiatives and prepares student peer coaches to engage in meaningful, change-oriented conversations.
Josh is an educator, facilitator, and well-being professional whose work sits at the intersection of peer coaching program development and motivational interviewing (MI) in higher education. Grounded in the belief that the heart of MI lives in the quality of connection between people, Josh brings a relational, human-centered approach to how individuals learn, grow, and support one another. Based in Columbus, Ohio, he serves as a Wellness Coordinator at The Ohio State University Student Wellness Center, where he leads peer-to-peer wellness and financial coaching initiatives and prepares student peer coaches to engage in meaningful, change-oriented conversations.
With a background in higher education and student affairs, Josh approaches learning as a collaborative, experiential process shaped by curiosity, presence, and joyful engagement. His work focuses on designing programs that allow students, peer educators, and professionals to practice communication and relational skills in real time, building both competence and confidence in how they listen to and support others. He emphasizes the development of authentic, values-aligned helping styles, particularly within peer coaching models that extend the reach of support across campus communities.
Josh is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), selected through the highly competitive Training of New Trainers (TNT). In this role, he supports students, volunteers, and professionals across diverse contexts in developing clarity and confidence in their MI and engagement skills. His facilitation is known for translating MI principles into accessible, practical applications within non-clinical environments, including wellness promotion, financial wellbeing, and leadership development.
His academic foundation informs and strengthens his practice. Josh holds a master’s degree in higher education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The Ohio State University. He also holds the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification, integrating MI-consistent approaches into financial wellness work and expanding the reach of coaching beyond traditional contexts.
Across his work, Josh prioritizes creating reflective, energizing learning environments rooted in trust and shared ownership. He believes that investing in people builds transformative teams, and that being fully present with another person is one of the most meaningful contributions one can offer.
