Staff
Laura Hill Rao
Laura Hill Rao is the director of the Civic and Community Engagement Office. She has led the office since 2003.
Alice Villaseñor, PhD
Alice Villaseñor is the Associate Director for the Civic and Community Engagement Office and head of the Community-Engaged Learning Unit. She hails from southern California with a PhD in English and has worked at USC’s Joint Educational Project and as an English professor at Medaille College.
Talia Rodriguez, JD
Talia Rodriguez is the Associate Director for the West Side Promise Neighborhood. She has a master's degree in Public Administration from SUNY Empire State and a JD from SUNY at Buffalo Law School.
Jennifer Serniuk
Jennifer Serniuk is the Program Coordinator for the Community Academic Center.
Lisa Kragbé
Lisa Kragbé has a long career working in higher education. She is the leader of the Civic Engagement Unit in our office.
Tonya Ackley
Tonya Ackley coordinates community-engaged learning for the School of Arts & Sciences.
Mark Brumby
Mark Brumby is an Administrative Assistant and supports the various units within the Civic and Community Engagement Office.
Cynthia Beverly
Cynthia Beverly works as the Senior Office Assistant for the Civic and Community Engagement Office.
Naomi Hall
Naomi Hall works part time as the Office Assistant for the Civic and Community Engagement Office.
Ava LaBella
Ava LaBella is the AmeriCorps VISTA for this year.
Desiray Slaughter
Desiray Slaughter is our Graduate Assistant at the Civic and Community Engagement Office for this year. She coordinates the Student Civic Leadership Board and the President’s Certificate.
Saharatu Munkaila
Saharatu Munkaila is a Work Study student for the Civic and Community Engagement Office. She is also a member of the Student Civic Leadership Board.
Sarah Sancho-Persad
Sarah Sancho-Persad is a Work Study student for the Civic and Community Engagement Office.