You can find us in
Main N-165, Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4:30 pm
ocel@vassar.edu
Make an appointment with Elizabeth,
here.
Make an appointment with Jean,
here.
Make an appointment with Sophie, here.
Make an appointment with Jayda, here.
Our Team:
Elizabeth Cannon | SHE/HER/hers | Director | Ecannon@vassar.edu
I currently serve as the Director of Community-Engaged Learning and the Co-PI on the Mellon Foundation Grant, Community-Engaged Intensives in the Humanities. I also serve on the Good Neighbors and Bridging Campus and Local Communities Committees. Before coming to Vassar College, I served as the Senior Associate Director of Civic House at the University of Pennsylvania. Among my responsibilities at Civic House, I facilitated social justice workshops around issues of identity, privilege, power, oppression, and responsible community engagement. I also worked to build long-term sustainable relationships with community organizations by centering and valuing their voices in the process. Prior to Penn, I served as an Associate Director of UCARE (the Ursinus Center for Advocacy, Responsibility and Engagement) at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA helping to coordinate the Ursinus’ PA Scholars in Service Program and the Bonner Leader Program. I received my Ed.D. in Higher Education from Penn’s Graduate School of Education with research interests that focus on critical feminism within community engagement, the role of power dynamics between institutions and communities, and best practices for centering community voice. I’m excited to work alongside students, community partners, and faculty in continuing to shape our shared values around critical community-engaged learning here at Vassar.
Jean Hinkley she/her/HERS | Associate Director | Jhinkley@Vassar.edu
I grew up in the Town of Poughkeepsie and am now a proud resident of the 8th Ward of the City of Poughkeepsie. I’ve spent most of my life in Poughkeepsie, outside of attending American University, in Washington, D.C. for a B.A. in History. After working for D.C. Public Schools for a few years, I moved to Florence, Italy to follow my passion of arts based education and received an M.A. in Museum Studies from the Istitutio Lorenzo de’Medici and Marist College. I am an active member of the arts community in Poughkeepsie and organize the Poughkeepsie Open Studios art tour! I come to this work in the OCEL with a deep connection to place and dedication to Poughkeepsie.
Ja’na Baylor she/her/HERS | OFFICE SPECIALIST | jbaylor@vassar.edu
I come from the South-Side of Chicago with deep ties to the South! I received my BA in Theatre Art Therapy from DePauw University and am currently pursuing a Maternal and Child Health Certificate at UAlbany. Throughout my academic career, I facilitated art workshops for youth and adults with diverse abilities and contributed to community-based conversations on the use of art therapy as a tool to decolonize language and ability barriers that may exist within institutions. This work led me to Black and Brown Birth equity work, where I have used advocacy and evidence-based information to equip families for their Birth, Postpartum and Reproductive experiences. I’m eager to continue to intersect my creative toolkit with community advocacy to support the role of Office Specialist in the OCEL.
Zoë Markwalter she/her/they | Research and Program Associate, Community-Engaged Intensives in the Humanities | ZMarkwalter@vassar.edu
I grew up on the west side of the Hudson River. As I am coming to learn, the river that runs both ways was named by the Mahican people: Mahicannituck – meaning the waters that are never still. Growing up I was taught that the Hudson River was poison – that she was not a friend, but rather a danger. Decades later, I find that I have spent most of my life on this River who has welcomed me, and held me. I am reminded that it is not the Mahicannituck that is a danger. It is centuries of colonialism. I understand that just as she was in the time of the Mahican and Lenni Lenape peoples, the Mahicannituck is doing what she has always done: transporting what has entered from her shores.
I am a neurodivergent learner. A restorative circle practitioner in iterative lifelong training. A photographer, writer, medical industrial complex survivor, community member, and an aspiring activist. I am an associate of science in photography, an associate of science in organizational communication, and a master of professional studies candidate in social justice education. After I complete this MPS I look forward to investing more time in creative work and self care.
Coming soon…
Student co-workers
