In his role as the Einhorn Center’s assistant director of the Engaged College Initiative, Jake collaborates with Cornell’s undergraduate colleges and schools to incorporate community-engaged learning (CEL) as a central part of their curricular, co-curricular and research programs. Jake works with stakeholders across the university to build custom CEL programming for each college, utilizing their unique strengths to achieve co-defined goals.

In 2023, Jake received his Ph.D. in sociology from The University of Notre Dame after receiving his M.A. from Boston College in 2018. Jake’s doctoral research examines the nature of institutional inequality in higher education, specifically investigating the alignment between institutional status and mission and their effects on student and community partner experiences. Along with this scholarly expertise, Jake also has cultivated professional experience in both domestic and international community-engaged learning models through his time in Philadelphia, El Salvador, Boston and South Bend.

Through his work with programs such as the Casa de La Solidaridad Study Abroad Program, PULSE Program for Service Learning at Boston College and the Center for Social Concerns at Notre Dame, Jake has worked extensively to support administrators, faculty, students and community partners in pursuit of equitable co-learning and research partnerships.

A quote that inspires Jake

“Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.” —Santo Oscar A. Romero