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������Ƶ has been a nearly half-century family affair for Catherine Faughnan, MPA ‘17.

Her father worked at the University for 39 years, in roles such as chief of police and associate vice president for emergency services. Faughnan’s mother worked in graduate programs for the School of Management.

Her two older sisters earned master’s degrees and held positions at ������Ƶ, meaning that each member of Faughnan’s family has worked at ������Ƶ.

“The University has always been the backdrop of my life, in some capacity,” she said.

Growing up in the area with both parents working at Binghamton has led her to experience iconic local moments. As a high schooler, Faughnan attended the 2009 America East men’s basketball championship in the Events Center, which sent the Bearcats to their only NCAA Division 1 tournament in team history.

In Faughnan’s eyes, the biggest change for the University over the years has been the growth.

“I can certainly say that it’s grown a lot, which is cool to see and to be a part of. Especially being a student here, when I was in my last year of grad school, I watched CCPA absorb the Graduate School of Education,” she said. “As someone that was connected to CCPA, and still part of it, that change has been exciting. I get to take classes with the educational doctoral students who would have ordinarily not been in the same school together.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in political science at SUNY Cortland in 2015, Faughnan began graduate school at Binghamton. Two years later, she earned her master’s degree from the public administration program. She is currently working toward a doctorate in community research and action at Binghamton.

While pursuing these degrees, Faughnan worked as a lifeguard in the West Gym, interned in the Alumni Engagement Office and was a graduate assistant for what was, at the time, the Graduate School of Education. After graduating in 2017, she worked on campus for about a year in part-time positions for HPPS (what is now B-Healthy) and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs while looking for a full-time job.

In 2018, Faughnan became a community development manager for the American Cancer Society (ACS) for three years, inspired by the impact cancer had on her family.

Even during her stint with the ACS, however, Faughnan retained her ties to the University. She named the annual Relay for Life, which she spearheaded and takes place on campus to raise money for cancer research, as her favorite event to organize.

In January of 2022, Faughnan returned home in the role of assistant director for The Union.

“The two biggest pillars of my position here are events and reservations,” Faughnan explained. “Pretty much every event that happens in the building, I work with students, staff and faculty at some point, on everything from tabling fairs to student banquets and dinners to post-commencement receptions. I’ve been able to work with a huge range of people on campus that I wouldn’t be able to interact with in any other position. Everyone, at some point, does something in The Union or comes here for something. So, that’s been a great part of this job.”

Faughnan particularly enjoys assisting with student events. She cited the Pakistani Student Association’s Mock Shaadi, an annual event that celebrates Pakistani wedding traditions, as one that always stands out.

“We’re all here for the students,” Faughnan said. “I think that’s what I’ve loved the most about the University — it’s a really great place to work. I hope that the students see Binghamton in a good light as well.”