Office of Community Engagement
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OCE Staff

The Office of Community Engagement is located on the top floor of Lane, room 301,  by the Center for Student Development office. Come by anytime to chat with one of us!

Val

Val Buchanan | Director

Val grew up in both in Michigan and Texas, resulting in a love for cross-cultural settings and Mexican food! Her faith journey has been one of seeking to explore themes of urban ministry, building community, racial reconciliation, holistic discipleship, and civic participation. Val studied Recreation and Sociology at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri and then spent five years working in the Missions and Ministries Office at that same school. After moving to Lynn in August 2003, Val was given the opportunity to begin connecting Gordon College and the city of Lynn. In this journey, she has loved getting to know the people making a positive difference in the City of Lynn! Val also enjoys living close to the ocean, watching NFL games with friends, spinning classes at the gym, and traveling to South Africa.


Jenn

Jennifer Brink | Coordinator of Academically-Based Service-Learning

Jennifer has served at Gordon College since 2006. She holds a M.Ed from Dalhousie University in Canada. Along with teaching, she enjoys fostering learning through service and helping students explore justice and shalom in the classroom and the community. She lives in Ipswich with her husband, their three children, and a collection of pets.


Stephanie Marienau Turpin

Stephanie Marienau Turpin | Associate Director for the OCE

Stephanie Marienau Turpin joined Gordon College in 2012. Her professional background is in International Development, giving her the opportunity to work in Senegal, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and, most recently, South Sudan, the world's newest country. Stephanie earned her B.A. in English and French from Vanderbilt University in Nashville and her M.A. in International Development from George Washington University in Washington D.C. She loves reading, writing, being outdoors, and traveling to new places. Stephanie lives in Peabody with her husband John.