Dr. Bettencourt has been teaching at Marist College since 1965. He presently serves as the Advisor for the Health Professions. Courses he has offered include General Biology I, Histology, Embryology, Immunology, Comparative Anatomy, Parasitology, and Gen. Biology Lab I.
Dr. Bettencourt has served 30 years as Advisor for the Health Professions advising students in the preparation of entering the health professions. He is a member of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions and the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. Dr. Bettencourt annually attends these meetings often held jointly with representatives of the health profession colleges. Information from these meetings is updated in the Marist College Health Professions Student Guide.
At Marist, Dr. Bettencourt has served on several committees over the years which includes the Faculty Executive Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Rank and Tenure Committee, Budget Committee, Standing Committee on Athletics and several search committees as well as ad hoc committees. He received the Greg Kilgariff Service Award for his committee services.
Dr. Bettencourt has received and directed grants while at Marist College. These include NSF equipment grants, director of an NSF Grant for the Physically Handicapped in Science, and an NSF Trio grant for Disadvantaged Students Pursuing Health Professions. In addition he is a lead teacher in the NSF Science on the Move Program(SOTM) and participated in the Dutchess County BOCES Summer High School of Excellence Program.
His outside interests include tennis (captain of USLTA summer league team), racquetball, photography, refinishing furniture, gardening and attending sporting events.
Dr. Bettencourt is married with three children and 4 grandchildren.