Our Team

CCESL's work is made possible by the dedication of our staff, students, faculty, and community partners from across disciplines.

Staff

Cara DiEnno

Executive Director | she/her

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John Macikas

Student Programs Manager | he/him

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Maddie Duven

Business Programs Manager | she/her

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Angelica Ortiz

Outreach & Communications Coordinator | she/her

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CCESL Graduate Leads

Kathleen | she/her/hers

1st year Master of Arts in International Studies

Kathleen McCracken is the Community Outreach and Communications Grad Lead for the Center for Community Engagement for the advancement of Scholarship and Learning (CCESL).

A native of southern Illinois, McCracken attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in international relations and religion and minors in French and Arabic. During her time at Drake, McCracken conducted research in Uganda on the representation of women in Uganda’s parliament and studied the Abrahamic faiths in Israel and Jordan.

Following undergrad, McCracken moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she served as an international relations specialist in the municipal government's Global Engagement Office. She brings to CCESL a passion for research and community service.

Fun fact: In my spare time, I enjoy wildlife photography!