You can find us in Main N-165, Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4:30 pm
Our Team:
Elizabeth Cannon | SHE/HER/hers | Director of Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship | Ecannon@vassar.edu
I’m Elizabeth, Director of Community-Engaged Learning at Vassar! I help students connect classroom learning with real-world community projects, focusing on racial, housing, and economic justice. I love supporting students’ passions and connecting with local organizations to create meaningful change.
Jean Hinkley | she/her/HERS | Associate Director | Jhinkley@Vassar.edu
Hi I’m Jean! I love Poughkeepsie and connecting students with assets, resources, and community partners. I am passionate about public art programs, voting rights, and mental health support. Meet with me to talk more about CEL! Click here to find a time to meet.
Ja’na Baylor | she/her/HERS | OFFICE SPECIALIST | jbaylor@vassar.edu
Hey, I’m Ja’na! Throughout my college journey, I studied Theatre therapy and Maternal and Child Health, focusing on the intersection between wellness and the arts. I’m passionate about building community and love spending time in my hometown Chicago– especially at art and music events that bring folks together.
Zoë Markwalter | she/her/they | Research and Program Associate, Community-Engaged Courses | ZMarkwalter@vassar.edu
Hiya. I’m Zoë, Community Engaged Curriculum Program Associate. My touch and go college journey resulted in an Associate of Science in Photography, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication, and a Master of Professional Studies in Social Justice Education. Outside of work I am a recreational crew team member, a cycler, an intermittent gardener (no, it doesn’t work very well), a slow and steady Spanish language learner, and a knitter. I’m an aspiring sewer, + so many more things. My OCEL passions include knowledge compensation equity (otherwise known as epistemic justice), incommensurability, and student-driven projects. All of the OCEL action areas motivate me. Some focus areas where I have spent much of my life are Education and Economic Justice, Environmental Justice & Food Security, Healthcare Justice (Public Health), and Housing Security & Justice. Link to my calendar here if you’d like to set up a meeting.
Anabel Varghese |the/Them | Exploring College Program Coordinator | avarghese@vassar.edu
Hi hi! I’m Anabel, Exploring College Program Manager. I grew up in both Kerala, India and in Michigan, US. I graduated with an Anthropology degree, with interests in Education and Prison Studies. I dream of mastering baking and crafting coffee and tea beverages. I’m surprisingly ok at pickle ball, and I love spending time with my family, both given and chosen. Action areas that are important to me include: education policy and equity, lgbtqia+ rights, mental health access and support, prison abolition, racial justice. Click here to see my availability and learn more!
Zerah Ruiz | She/her | Vassar After School Tutoring Coordinator | ZRuiz@vassar.edu
I recently graduated from Vassar with a Drama major and an Africana Studies minor! I look forward to combining my experience in theater and helping primarily first-gen, low-income students towards college as the new VAST (Vassar After School Team) Coordinator. I grew up in Columbus, GA and love the opportunities to build community with predominately-Spanish speaking immigrants and Black communities through educational youth empowerment and community theater in Poughkeepsie. Action areas important to me are: Racial Justice; Expression, Arts, and Culture; and Education Policy & Equity. So meet with me to learn more.