Couper-Owens Center for Community Schools

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Couper-Owens Center for Community Schools

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Couper-Owens Center builds strong, long-term partnerships among universities, schools, and communities.

By aligning the resources of higher ed with the priorities of schools, we work to ensure that all students and families can thrive.

10/30/2026

We spy some Couper-Owens TY Beanie Babies!

10/30/2026

Our team had a great time at the 2026 University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) Conference, hosted by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at Penn !

We were proud to see our faculty and staff contribute to several plenaries and panels:

*Luann Kida, Senior Director, shared insights on strengthening school-based mental health and wellness.
*Naorah Rimkunas, Associate Director and Assistant Professor, presented on community-engaged scholarship and UACS.
*Kathleen Provinzano, Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor, joined the panel “Research That Advances Knowledge by Improving Community Schools.”
*Laura Bronstein, Dean and founding director, sat down with Ira Harkavy for a conversation titled “Community Schools: Understanding the Past to Shape the Future,” reflecting on the history of the community schools movement and what it means for the road ahead.

The conference was a great chance to share research and practice, build connections with colleagues across institutions, and talk about the evolving role of higher education in supporting schools and communities.

A big thank you to the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at Penn and the UACS National Network for bringing us all together. We’re grateful to learn alongside so many colleagues who share our commitment to mutually beneficial university-school-community partnerships.

10/23/2026

💙 Lift Each Other Up! 💙

In honor of Bullying Prevention Month, Lauren Poccia, our site supervisor, teamed up with our UACS social work interns to lead a special SEL activity with all of the students at OA Schools! Students shared kind words and thoughtful actions they can use to lift others up and make a positive difference in their school community.

10/22/2026

We’re proud to continue our partnership with Maine-Endwell Central School District and support another year of meaningful connections with students!💙
Through our University-Assisted Community Schools approach, Binghamton University social work interns help create welcoming spaces where students can access support, build relationships, and thrive.

Welcome to the 2026–27 school year, and thank you to Shannon (site supervisor), our interns, and school partners for making this work possible!

10/13/2026

Last week, our Associate Director, Dr. Naorah Rimkunas, joined colleagues from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Vermont, and the University of Pennsylvania to present at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium conference in Knoxville, TN.

Their session, "Strengthening Schools, Communities, and Universities through Democratic UACS Partnerships," explored how University-assisted Community Schools bring higher education and communities together as transformative partners. Each presenter shared highlights from their UACS initiatives, showing what this powerful work makes possible for youth, families, and communities.

Congratulations on an impactful presentation, and thank you to our fellow presenters for the collaboration!

10/05/2026

📣 We’re hiring!

We’re excited to share an opportunity to join our Couper-Owens team as a Transformative Youth Justice Hub Director!

If you’re passionate about building strong partnerships, supporting schools and communities, and making a meaningful impact, we’d love for you to take a look and consider applying! See below to learn more and how to apply!

10/05/2026

Congratulations, Naorah! This recognition is so well deserved! We’re proud to work alongside you and celebrate this accomplishment! ❤️

09/22/2026

Hope to see you there!

Please see the link below for the upcoming Fall Conference on October 9, 2026 at Whitney Point High School. This annual conference is hosted by the Agency, CPS, and School Liaison’s committee of the Family Violence Prevention Council of Broome County. This year’s conference was planned in collaboration with the Family Violence Prevention Council’s Professional Education Committee and Binghamton University, SUNY, College of Community and Public Affairs, Department of Social Work.

Registration - $25 for attendees who do not want social work contact hours.
Registration - $75 for those who want 4 social work contact hours.
Prices include lunch.

09/22/2026

This generous gift was made possible by the late Janet C. Watrous and Robert Kochersberger, a couple with longstanding ties to Binghamton University. Their connection to community schools is especially meaningful: they previously dedicated the Charlie K. Community Schools Room, named in honor of their son. The new Couper-Owens name carries that same spirit of connection and service. The Couper name honors the Couper family, founding figures in Binghamton University’s history, while Owens pays tribute to Kochersberger’s late mother, Marjorie Mae Owens, a school nurse in rural Western New York who was known for bringing food and clothing to the homes of students in need.
Her legacy of showing up for students and families in meaningful, tangible ways reflects the heart of community schools — building relationships, removing barriers and creating the conditions for students and communities to thrive.

We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary investment in the future of community schools and proud to carry these legacies forward through the Couper-Owens Center for Community Schools. 💙

🎉 WOW! A major gift will help Binghamton expand its nationally recognized work to improve student outcomes in local schools! ⬇️

Address

67 Washington Street Binghamton
Binghamton, NY

Telephone

+16077779283

Website

https://www.binghamton.edu/ccpa/communityschools/

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