Our Staff
Community-Engaged Alliance Staff
Elijah Howe
Executive Director
elijah {at} engagedalliance(.)org
Education:
- Ph.D. in Higher Education, Indiana University
- M.A. in Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University
- B.A. in History, Hanover College
Laura Weaver
Director of Professional Development and Engaged Learning
laura {at} engagedalliance(.)org
317-274-6504
Schedule a time to chat
Laura Weaver, MS Ed, joined Community-Engaged Alliance in January 2016 and is the Director of Professional Development and Engaged Learning, where she provides training on and support for the normalization of community engagement practices at institutions of higher education across Indiana. In this capacity, Laura assists faculty with their teaching and engaged research activities involving reciprocal community-campus partnerships and supports students in implementing an array of engagement activities.
Laura directly manages the following Community-Engaged Alliance initiatives and enjoys discussing current and potential community engagement projects with faculty, students, and staff.
- Faculty Fellows learning community
- Actualizing a Culture for Community Engagement initiative
- Pen to Paper Writing Retreat
- Colloquium on High Impact Community Engagement Practices
- Community-Engaged Alliance Funding Opportunities
- Regional Reads
Laura has served as a Research Fellow and has published several articles related to her work on the institutionalization of community engagement. Her current research focuses on the development of engaged faculty as they transition from an academic faculty member to a chief community engagement officer, and how this evolution can be influenced by individual positionality. Through her work on the dissemination of community engagement, Laura is continuously examining how faculty are rewarded for their engaged scholarship, and what types of products are recognized.
Prior to joining Indiana Campus Compact, she spent more than eight years overseeing the Center for Service Learning and Leadership at Purdue University North Central (now Purdue University Northwest) and spent several years working for a national nonprofit organization partnering with college students to build awareness and support for health care initiatives. Laura is currently working on her doctorate in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University. She earned her MS Ed from Northern Illinois University and a BS from Bradley University.
Click here to find a time to chat with Laura about your community engagement project.
Emily Gralak
Communications and Marketing Specialist
emily {at} engagedalliance(.)org
Emily joined Community-Engaged Alliance in November 2021 as the Communications and Marketing Specialist. In her role, she oversees the organization’s website, branding, external communications and media engagement.
Emily graduated summa cum laude from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. She was also a student of the Ball State Honors College for which she completed her undergraduate thesis on the use of social issues in advertising campaigns.
Jackie Plata
Office and Grant Assistant
jackie {at} engagedalliance(.)org
Jackie joined Community-Engaged Alliance in November 2021 as the Office and Grant Assistant. In her role, she supports our team with various tasks and ensures we are running smoothly! She's a true multi-task guru.
Jackie graduated from IUPUI Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Resources Management. She comes from a diverse background of supporting high-functioning teams in real estate and insurance. You can spot her in her free time at a dog park with her Mini Aussie Beni, at a local brewery, or documenting her travels on Instagram.