Worcester State University has appointed Megan Moran, PhD, as the new director of the John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement. A seasoned leader with over a decade of community-based experience, Moran returns to the city where her career first took root, bringing a vision that seamlessly integrates social advocacy with arts and culture.
Although she is a native of Long Island, New York, Moran has cultivated a deep and enduring bond with the Worcester area over the course of her professional life. This connection was solidified during her time as a visiting assistant professor at her alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross, and through her work as the co-founder and executive director of the Worcester Hip Hop Congress—a role that earned her recognition from Worcester Magazine as a local “hometown hero.”
Moran arrives from Brandeis University, where she played a pivotal role in launching and scaling the $10 million endowed Samuels Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation. She holds a doctoral degree in musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a background that informs her “arts-based” approach to civic work—using storytelling, music, and cultural knowledge as tools for social change.
“Megan Moran’s arrival marks a transformative new chapter for the Binienda Center,” Worcester State President Barry Maloney said. “Her established ties to Worcester and her focus on community-based partnerships align well with our mission as a public anchor institution. We look forward to her leadership as the Center continues to bridge our campus and the community, providing students with the practical, real-world experiences that help them succeed as engaged professionals.”
Moran views civic engagement through a creative lens. Her leadership strategy emphasizes a “front door” philosophy, reimagining the Binienda Center as a hub for community engagement.
“My vision for the Binienda Center is to strengthen and elevate civic engagement activities across the university,” Moran said. “I want the Center to support students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners in developing, implementing, and evaluating high impact community engagement initiatives, including community engaged teaching, research, and creative work, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Her upcoming initiatives focus on practical, career-ready outcomes, including new experiential learning internships and a board fellows program designed to train students for nonprofit leadership. She is eager to work with faculty across disciplines to support curriculum and research that intentionally align faculty expertise with the priorities of local community partners.
“With her deep expertise in civic engagement and community partnerships, Megan will bridge the gap between the classroom and the city of Worcester,” Mary Jo Marion, associate vice president for university and community engagement, said. “Her leadership arrives at a pivotal moment, ensuring our public mission remains a steadfast force during times of change.”
Now a resident of Northborough and a mother of two, Moran’s leadership is poised to expand the center’s reach, ensuring that Worcester’s rich cultural and civic landscape remains central to the student experience at Worcester State.