In his role as the Einhorn Center’s director of strategic partnerships and co-curricular learning, Mike creates opportunities for alumni-student interactions, deepens the center’s strategic community partnerships and leads co-curricular student learning and data collection. He works with Cornell alumni, students, faculty, staff and internal and external partners, serving as a bridge connecting academic and student affairs initiatives through on- and off-campus collaborations.

Prior to his current role, Mike served as director for student leadership within the Office of Engagement Initiatives, a predecessor of the Einhorn Center, where he developed and coordinated the certificates in community-engaged leadership and vibrant leadership and mentoring networks. He is pursuing a PhD in development sociology with a focus on power, race and social movements and institutions in rural US.

Before working in higher education, Mike served for five years with the Missouri Division of Youth Services as a youth counselor, youth group leader and trainer. After completing a career-transition M.Ed. in 2003 at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Mike served as the assistant director for the Harvard Public Service Network and Center for Public Interest Careers, partnering with Harvard College alumni to offer summer and post-graduate internships and mentoring opportunities to students. For ten years with University of California Berkeley’s Public Service Center, he oversaw all co-curricular student leadership and service programs, the Center’s local poverty initiative, new alumni development and student learning assessment. He developed and spearheaded Magnolia Project, the Center’s ten-year commitment to post-Katrina New Orleans, in the process deepening his understanding of race and class privilege. Today Mike remains active in his communities in rural Tompkins County around these same issues.

Quote that inspires Mike

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then is becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” —Audre Lorde