Dr. Priscylla Bento
Director of Resident Services
Dr. Priscylla Bento is the director of resident services for DHA, a role assumed in August 2022. In this capacity, she is responsible for implementing resident services to assist residents and their families in gaining upward mobility and achieving economic self-sufficiency.
Dr. Bento develops foundational policies and procedures to address the dynamic needs of residents through both qualitative and quantitative methods. She leads the resident services team and encourages professional growth while working toward agency goals. Dr. Bento and her team facilitate training, support and guidance to residents provided in collaboration with DHA’s community partners, other nonprofit agencies, government agencies and service providers.
Before joining DHA, Dr. Bento has accomplished over a decade of experience in public policy, community and economic development, equity and inclusion, strategic and urban planning, research and analysis and higher education. Her professional background includes tenure with the U.S. House of Representatives, the City of Dallas and Tier 1 Research with the University of Texas at Arlington.
She earned her first bachelor of arts in history and political science and a second bachelor of arts in French from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Bento also earned her masters in public administration and a Ph.D. in urban planning and public policy from UTA.
Dr. Bento is multilingual with fluency in Portuguese, English, Spanish and conversational French. In her free time, she volunteers with her local church, provides consulting services and when time permits, travels the world.
“I believe DHA’s work and mission is to not only provide sustainable, affordable housing, but to provide economic, educational and social opportunities with the intention of transformative community impact and upward mobility for all residents. This is what sets DHA apart,” says Dr. Bento. “My career journey has given me the privilege to serve my community through positive public service and I am honored to work with DHA and contribute to the agency’s transformative work in our community.”
In addition to her role at DHA, Dr. Bento is an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas Dallas where she teaches political science, as well as Dallas College – Eastfield Campus where she teaches government.
Dr. Bento has served her community in various capacities, including as a fellow of the Dallas Public Voices Fellowship, member of the City of Dallas Reinvestment Zone 18 Maple/Mockingbird TIF Board and member of the City of Rockwall Main Street Advisory Board, among other experiences.
