Denny Spinner, executive director of the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement (CRE), will retire at the end of August, with his last day on Aug. 29. Kyla Cox Deckard, CRE’s director of strategy and communications, has been named interim executive director effective Sept. 1.
Spinner is the third executive director of the CRE, succeeding Kerry Thomson, who now serves as mayor of Bloomington, and Bill Brown, who established the center as its founding director.
Since joining CRE in 2023, Spinner has expanded the center’s statewide impact through new partnerships, initiatives, and programming that connect Indiana University with rural communities. Under his leadership, the center launched the inaugural Rural Indiana Faculty Tour, expanded the Rural Placemaking Studio in partnership with the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, and introduced the Rural Scholars Program, which connects IU students with rural community projects.
Spinner’s extensive background in public service includes his tenure as executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and nine years as mayor of Huntingburg. He also served as president of the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities executive board and played key roles in regional development initiatives such as the Huntingburg Stellar committee, which earned the city the Stellar Community designation in 2014.
Spinner’s leadership has been recognized with the 2025 Jim Walton Community Impact Award and the 2025 Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award for his significant contributions to rural Indiana’s vitality.
“Denny has been a visionary leader for the Center for Rural Engagement, strengthening IU’s partnerships with rural communities across the state,” said Rahul Shrivastav, IU Bloomington provost and executive vice chancellor. “We thank him for his dedication and impact and wish him well in retirement.”
Kyla Cox Deckard has played a central role in CRE’s strategy and communications since the center’s inception in 2018. She leads key initiatives such as IU’s Ministry and Mental Well-being in Rural Areas and Small Towns project and developed the IU Rural Conference, an event that unites rural residents, IU faculty, students, and regional leaders.
A lifelong Hoosier, Cox Deckard serves on boards including the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and the Community Kitchen of Monroe County. She also teaches leadership and public policy courses at IU Bloomington’s College of Arts and Sciences Political and Civic Engagement program. Her leadership has been recognized with awards including the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s 10 Under 40 Award and the Women Excel Bloomington Award.
In her new role as interim executive director, Cox Deckard will continue to build on CRE’s mission to enhance health, creativity, and vitality in Indiana’s rural communities.