Director of Campus Partnerships
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.
We look forward to collaborating with you to strengthen Indiana and its rural communities.
Director of Communications
Kyla Cox Deckard leads communications for the center, working with the campus, communities, and media to share the story of rural Indiana.
Healthy Hoosier Communities Liaison
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
Annalise Janke coordinates the operations side of the center to support positive community change and center staff.
Eclipse Liaison
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
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
Gabriel Piser supports the center's work by developing and expanding large-scale community impact initiatives and strengthening relationships with community stakeholders.
Metrics Specialist
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
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
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
Nicholas Smaligo is focused on supporting rural communities in their efforts to address challenges related to food systems, water resources, and climate adaptation.
Executive Director
Kerry Thomson leads the Center for Rural Engagement's efforts to improve the lives of Hoosiers.
Hoosier Quality of Place Liaison
Nicole Vasconi works in collaboration with community leaders, the IU Arts & Humanities Council, faculty, and students on quality of place initiatives to connect IU programs and resources with rural Indiana’s artistic and cultural opportunities.
Project Manager
Gina Vertrees helps staff and partners work with rural communities by implementing project management systems and improving efficiencies across the center’s work.
Media Specialist
Jeni Waters supports communication efforts by maintaining the center’s web presence and developing media assets to visually enhance the story of rural Indiana.