Professional staff
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.
Renae is a double alumni of Binghamton University — they received their bachelor's degree in anthropology and english, and recently graduated in 2020 with a master's degree in student affairs administration. After graduating with their bachelor's degree, Renae worked for a LGBTQ non-profit for two years. During their master's program, Renae worked in the Dean of Students Office and interned with the office of Student Affairs Assessment and Strategies for Engagement. They are interested in continuing their education and plan to pursue a PhD. In their free time, Renae enjoys cooking, writing 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.
Trevor Fornara
Civic Education Coordinator
tfornar1@binghamton.edu
607-777-4285
Trevor Fornara is a political communications professional working to create a respectful and productive political climate on the Binghamton University campus. Trevor completed Binghamton’s BA in philosophy, politics and law in 2023 before transitioning into a full-time fellowship at the Center for Civic Engagement. As an undergraduate, Trevor started Happy Medium, a student-run nonpartisan publishing group that received the university’s Organization of the Year Award and Excellence in Community Engagement Award in 2023. Through his work with Happy Medium, Trevor built a bipartisan coalition of student organizations at Binghamton University to promote collaborative programming and establish cross-aisle relationships between student organizers on campus. He received the Student Organization President of the Year Award for his work with Happy Medium. At the CCE, Trevor will plan and host voter education programs for the University community. Trevor aims to promote constructive dialogue as a solution to campus polarization. He is working with Binghamton alum Bill Groner and the Division of Student Affairs to bring constructive dialogue programming to first-year students in a Fall 2023 pilot program.
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
Civic 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 helps coordinate the voter engagement team's efforts in promoting civic-mindedness on and off campus. 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 practicing yoga.
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.
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.
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.
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
Melinda Thomas, she/her/hers
Community engagement assistant
Youth Initiative
Samantha Deprospo
Ashley Dominguez
Gia Greenidge
Binghamton City School District — East Middle School
Lauren Kidd
Windsor Central School District
Molly Kildow
Binghamton City School District — Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Kyra Lowie, she/her/hers
Johnson City Schools
Danielle Monteferrante
Omar Ndizeye
Binghamton City School District — Binghamton High School
Inijesu Taiwo
Binghamton City School District — Binghamton High School
Voter engagement
Annabelle Bangs
Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador
Radeha Haque
Voter Engagement STEM Liaison
Ruby Tower
Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador
Chris Wen
Voter Engagement Coordinator
Front desk staff
Brianna Akande
Raymond Dominguez-Vargas
Chole Jimenez
Shen Li
Christine Lin
Michelle Lin
Cayman Newcombe
