New Big Red Barn Manager Looks Forward to Building Community

July 27, 2026

By Katya Hrichak

Trevor McClenon understands the importance of third spaces—those places of special significance outside the home and location of scholarship or employment—and as of June 22, he is bringing that appreciation to the Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center as its new manager.

“What interested me most about the Big Red Barn manager position was the unique opportunity to help manage a space that is well-loved by the student community,” McClenon said. “Third spaces are critical to the student experience on campus and can serve to build a stronger sense of belonging among the students and a stronger sense of community.”

McClenon comes to Cornell from Gettysburg College, where he worked most recently as assistant director in the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life. In that role, he directed programming, managed the college union building as well as the residential and nonresidential campus fraternity and sorority facilities, and supervised student staff. The ability to continue working directly with students at the Barn was part of the appeal, he said.

“Through the interview process for the position, I was introduced to some of the graduate and professional students and was able to see firsthand their connectedness and dedication to the Big Red Barn as a staple of their community,” McClenon said. “What excites me most about this position is the opportunity to channel that excitement through the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly to enhance the program support in ways that students find meaningful.”

Though McClenon most recently resided in Pennsylvania, he is no stranger to New York: After growing up in the Southern Tier, he earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) followed by a dual graduate degree in student affairs administration and public administration at Binghamton University. These experiences helped pave his way here to the Barn.

“While at RIT, I found myself feeling much more connected to the activities and programs I was participating in outside of the classroom through organizational leadership and campus employment,” he said. “By the time I finished my degree, I knew what I wanted to do for a career, and it had very little to do with civil engineering technology.”

Members of the graduate community are invited to stop in and welcome McClenon during their upcoming visits to the Barn—whether that be for TGIF, trivia, or a cup of coffee once the academic year is underway.

“I look forward to working closely with the students to develop and execute a plan for the future of the Big Red Barn,” he said.