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.
Staff Directory
Director of Strategy and Communications
Kyla Cox Deckard leads strategic initiatives and communications for the center, working with the campus and communities to support rural Indiana's vitality.
Communications Specialist
Sarah Duis supports the center's communications initiatives through the power of storytelling and social media.
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.
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.
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
Denny Spinner leads the Center for Rural Engagement's efforts to improve the lives of Hoosiers.
Hoosier Quality of Place Liaison
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.
Associate Director of Communications
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.