People Directory

Todd Burkhardt

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.

Kyla Cox Deckard

Director of Strategy and Communications

Pronouns:

she/her/hers

Email:

knblanke@iu.edu

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

Sarah Duis

Communications Specialist

Email:

sduis@iu.edu

Sarah Duis supports the center's communications initiatives through the power of storytelling and social media.

Mylan Gaston

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.

Annalise Janke

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.

Rebecca Mankowski

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.

Gabriel Piser

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.

Caleb Pittman

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.

Colleen Rose

Director of Student Engagement

Email:

rosec@iu.edu

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

Nicholas Smaligo

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.