Ashley Aurilio Named to Coordinate Civic Programs

01/09/2012 

A SUNY Cortland graduate and former staffer for Syracuse’s young professionals organization returned to the College last month as program coordinator for its Institute for Civic Engagement (ICE).

Ashley Aurilio ’11 of Cortland, N.Y., began her new role on Dec. 12. Aurilio provides coordination and administrative support for the institute’s programs, including those offered at the College’s outreach center, Main Street SUNY Cortland, located at 9 Main St. She also collaborates with a downtown revitalization organization, the Cortland Downtown Partnership, as well as other community organizations.

“I’m thrilled to be back at Cortland,” said Aurilio, a Williamsville, N.Y., native who graduated from the College in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. “I want to be able to help integrate the College with the surrounding community. There are so many fantastic opportunities available that students just don’t know about. I hope I can change that.”

She replaces Wendy Burton, who had served on an interim basis since Sept. 13.

 “We are very excited to have Ashley join the team,” said Richard Kendrick, the Institute’s director and a SUNY Cortland professor of sociology/anthropology. “Her prior experiences are a big plus, and her knowledge of the Cortland community — developed as a student here — is a tremendous asset. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm for working with the College and the community, and she is a very skilled communicator.”

Aurilio spent the previous six months in a dual role as the marketing and communications assistant for the non-profit young professional organization, 40 Below, in Syracuse, N.Y., and as the program coordinator for Project-ION, its internship opportunity program for students in Central New York. The organization’s mission is to “connect, empower, and engage young people in the Central Upstate New York community.”

At SUNY Cortland, Aurilio served as vice president of the Student Government Association. She also was a resident assistant in a first-year residence hall, an orientation assistant for the summer orientation program and a peer tutor.

Among other leadership roles, she was D.J. of her own radio show, “Talk Trash with Ash.”

Aurilio completed several internships, including a semester in the public relations department at Eric Mower and Associates, an integrated marketing communications agency with clients throughout the United States.

Both members of the community and SUNY Cortland students are encouraged to reach out to her at (607) 753-4271 or at her email address.

Kendrick commended Burton for her interim role with ICE.

“She did an excellent job for us during a critical period in which we were getting the fourth year of our AmeriCorps program off the ground, wrapping up the third year, and applying for a fifth year of funding,” he said.

For more information on SUNY Cortland’s Institute for Civic Engagement, contact Kendrick at (607) 753-2481 or at his email address.