Professional staff
Alison Handy Twang '11, MPA '13, PhD '22
Director
atwang@binghamton.edu
607-777-3083
she/her/hers
Alison develops connections between the University and the local community, supports students in participating in civic life, and leads efforts to strengthen the culture of civic and community engagement at Binghamton. During her time at the CCE, Alison has overseen significant growth in community-based volunteer programs and has led a nationally recognized nonpartisan student voting program that significantly increased student voter registration and turnout rates. Alison is passionate about supporting all people in finding their place in civic and community life.
Alison has a bachelors in political science, masters in public administration and PhD in community and public affairs, all from Binghamton University. Before joining the CCE, Alison worked in the nonprofit sector, focusing on philanthropy, youth and young adult civic engagement. Alison is an active volunteer with several community organizations, including the United Way of Broome County, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, League of Women Voters of Broome & Tioga Counties and Volunteer Administrators of the Southern Tier. In her free time, Alison enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her chocolate lab, Keene.
Renae Barber '17, MS '20
Community Engagement Outreach and Assessment Specialist
rebarber@binghamton.edu
607-777-4286
Renae serves as a resource to faculty, staff and students to promote community engagement activities and encourages effective reporting and assessment of these activities. By fostering strong partnerships and leveraging data, Renae works to highlight Binghamton University's stories of community engagement. One of the ways they do this is through Collaboratory, Binghamton University’s online database for community engagement and public service activities. Learn more about Collaboratory here!
Renae is a double alumni of Binghamton University — they received their bachelor's degree in anthropology and english, and their master's degree in higher education and student affairs. During their master’s program, Renae worked in the Dean of Students Office, participated on research teams with Deborah Taub and John Zilvinskis and interned with the office of Student Affairs Assessment and Strategies for Engagement. In their free time, Renae enjoys art, writing, embroidery and gaming.
Barrett P. Brenton, PhD
Faculty Engagement Associate
bbrenton@binghamton.edu
607-777-2859
Having joined the CCE in June 2018, Barrett is primarily responsible for professional development initiatives to further faculty and student participation in a variety of community-based teaching, learning and scholarship activities. He is an active practitioner of applied community-engaged learning and research, with a broad record of national and global scholarship that developed with his position as a professor of anthropology and faculty coordinator for academic service-learning and community-based research at St. John's University in NYC. He received a BA in anthropology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a MA/PhD in biocultural anthropology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Sara Hall '01 MSW '07
Senior Assistant Director
sarahall@binghamton.edu
607-777-4289
she/her/hers
Sara works to support, grow and implement the Community Schools initiative at Binghamton University. This work includes supporting faculty, student interns and volunteers as well as the Community Schools initiative directly in local school districts. Prior to this role, Hall was a Community School coordinator in the Johnson City School District.
A licensed master social worker, she has worked in the non-profit sector at Crime Victims Assistance Center, ACHIEVE and the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference. A double alumni of Binghamton University (bachelor's degree in human development and master's degree in social work), she has always been a proud Bearcat! As a member of the University Assisted Community School network and the NYS Coalition for Community Schools, she strives to remain informed and influence the Community Schools work being done at the state and national level. In her free time, she enjoys playing outside with her children, reading and hiking.
Kyra Hickey
Community Engagement Coordinator
khickey@binghamton.edu
607-777-2880
she/her/hers
Kyra works to enrich student awareness, leadership and reflection related to civic and community engagement. She coordinates the LEAD program and connects students to volunteer opportunities through impactBING CORE and the Youth Initiative. Her dedication to reciprocal partnership and dialogue informs her approach to community building, student development and social change. She welcomes visitors to the CCE during its drop-in hours and collaborates with the student staff to nurture meaningful connections in and outside of the office. Kyra earned her bachelor's degree in dance with specializations in women's and gender studies, psychology and Italian at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Penn. In her free time, she enjoys writing, playing board games and teaching dance.
Tammy Lindow '05
Assistant to the Director
tlindow@binghamton.edu
607-777-2195
Tammy provides administrative assistance to both the Center for Civic Engagement and Fleishman Center staff, including budget support, travel and HR transactions, and logistical support for all events. Tammy joins the CCE after five years of working in administrative support in Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She earned her degree from what is now known as Binghamton University's College of Community and Public Affairs.
Jeremy Pelletier
Assistant Director of Campus Engagement
jpellet@binghamton.edu
607-777-2536
Jeremy works collaboratively with community organizations to understand community priorities, identify potential partnership opportunities and connect students to meaningful community-based opportunities. Jeremy also supports nonpartisan voter engagement activities for Binghamton University students.
Jeremy earned his bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY Oswego and his master's in public administration with a concentration in Local Government Management from Binghamton University. Before joining the CCE, Jeremy worked on campus for Services for Students with Disabilities working to provide equal access accommodations. Prior to working on campus, he served as the Binghamton City Clerk. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his family and watching his beloved Denver Broncos with his dog Peyton.
Andi Stack
Assistant Director for Communications
astack4@binghamton.edu
607-777-4282
Andi works to showcase the university’s community engagement efforts, share philanthropic student and faculty stories, and promote the mission and vision of the Center for Civic Engagement.
Andi earned her bachelor's degree in computer art from SUNY Oneonta. Prior to this role, she worked in the non-profit sector coordinating marketing and volunteerism efforts at the local United Way. In her free time, Andi enjoys DIY projects and spending time with her two dogs.
Student staff
The Center for Civic Engagement relies on a robust student staff consisting of graduate assistants, interns and volunteers every semester. Current opportunities for students to join the CCE team are listed on the hireBING by Handshake.
Community engagement
Matthew Pangburn
Outreach & Tracking Assistant
Youth Initiative
Louise De Virgilio
Youth Initiative Volunteer Coordinator
Asha Philip
Johnson City Schools
Tess Drosman
Chenango Valley School District
Jessica Nichols
Windsor Central School District
Kayla Gassner
Binghamton City School District — Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Jordan Ragona
Binghamton City School District — Roosevelt Elementary School
Nicole Shlifer
Binghamton City School District — MacArthur Elementary School
Voter engagement
Lucy Mandel
Voter Engagement Assistant
Jessica Sung
Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador
Jenna Vallone
Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador
Akira Kopec
Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador
Jules Verrino
Voter Engagement Liaison
Janalyn Pastrana
Voter Engagement Liaison
Logan Dunham
Voter Engagement Liaison
Front desk staff
Ashley Kim
Ebony Dixon
Chole Jimenez
Isabella Kovacs
Mariam Moussa
Salma Moussa
Cayman Newcombe
