Staff Directory

We look forward to collaborating with you to strengthen Indiana and its rural communities.

Director of Campus Partnerships

Email:
toddburk@iu.edu

Todd Burkhardt serves as the director of campus partnerships, facilitating work with faculty, staff, and students that connects IU’s broad resources to improve the well-being of rural Indiana.

Director of Strategy and Communications

Pronouns:
she/her/hers
Email:
knblanke@indiana.edu

Kyla Cox Deckard leads strategic initiatives and communications for the center, working with the campus and communities to support rural Indiana's vitality.

Healthy Hoosier Communities Liaison

Email:
mygaston@iu.edu

Mylan Gaston strives to help rural Hoosiers live their healthiest lives by linking communities with the university and other resources, facilitating collaboration to effectively create and implement health initiatives.

Administrative Project Manager

Pronouns:
she/her
Phone:
(812) 856-4077
Email:
ajanke@iu.edu

Annalise Janke coordinates the operations side of the center to support positive community change and center staff.

Eclipse Liaison

Email:
hanejone@iu.edu

Hannah Jones supports the center's work by connecting community members in rural Indiana with the resources they need to cultivate creative and educational activities leading up to and including the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Deputy Director

Email:
rmankows@iu.edu

Rebecca Mankowski serves as deputy director of the center, ensuring efficient operations and extending the transformative effects of IU throughout the rural communities of the state.

Director of Community Initiatives

Email:
gpiser@iu.edu

Gabriel Piser supports the center's work by developing and expanding large-scale community impact initiatives and strengthening relationships with community stakeholders.

Metrics Specialist

Email:
pittmanc@iu.edu

Caleb Pittman conducts research and analysis to support the center's mission and evaluates projects and initiatives implemented by the center and its partners.

Director of Student Engagement

Email:
rosec@indiana.edu

Colleen Rose leads student-based initiatives at the Center for Rural Engagement, including the Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC) Program.

Program Director for Faculty Leadership and Engagement

Email:
wreilly@indiana.edu

Whitney Schlegel cultivates a faculty community at the center to implement and scale proven approaches and innovate new modes for rural engagement. 

Community Resilience Liaison

Pronouns:
he/him/his
Email:
nsmaligo@iu.edu

Nicholas Smaligo is focused on supporting rural communities in their efforts to address challenges related to food systems, water resources, and climate adaptation.

Interim Executive Director

Denny Spinner leads the Center for Rural Engagement's efforts to improve the lives of Hoosiers.

Hoosier Quality of Place Liaison

Email:
nvasconi@iu.edu

Nicole Vasconi is invested in working with communities on sustainable strategies for growth that leverage and strengthen local arts, culture, history, and quality of place.

Project Manager

Email:
gvertree@indiana.edu

Gina Vertrees helps staff and partners work with rural communities by implementing project management systems and improving efficiencies across the center’s work.

Associate Director of Communications

Pronouns:
she/her/hers
Email:
watersje@indiana.edu

Jeni Waters shapes the visual identity of the center, implements strategic communication plans, and coordinates projects to ensure the timely and successful completion of communication initiatives.

Create thriving rural communities with us