As village clerk for Plandome Manor, New York, Katherine Hannon ’20 serves as the chief operating officer and oversees communications, finances and capital projects.

In these and other tasks, she is guided by state code and local policies set by the governing village board. She also frequently refers to lessons she received while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Recently, when applying for a court grant, Hannon utilized notes from a judicial process class she took with Rick Trunfio, adjunct professor of political science.

“I took verbiage straight from my notes that I had saved in a Google Drive and used that in the court grant, and I got full funding for that item we were requesting,” says Hannon.

Hannon was appointed in January 2023 at age 24, becoming the youngest clerk serving in local government on Long Island. The distinction was highlighted in a July 2025 profile of Hannon in the Long Island Press.

In the piece, she reflected on the challenging job market when she earned her bachelor’s degree from Maxwell in 2020, during the height of COVID-19.

“I was so thankful that the mayor of the village of Plandome Heights, Kenneth Riscica, asked me if I wanted to come back and work on special projects with him,” she told the publication.

Hannon took the position in neighboring Plandome Heights in August 2020. It began as an internship working on special projects under Riscica’s guidance.

Hannon continues to serve that community as a justice court clerk while serving as village clerk in Plandome Manor. She is also justice court clerk for Plandome Manor and a third neighboring village, Plandome.

Hannon says Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno has been an important mentor. She appointed Hannon and has included her in meetings with elected officials and in press conferences.

Donno taught Hannon the importance of building relationships and being active in the community.

“Her leadership has inspired me to fully invest myself in public service,” Hannon says.

Originally from Plandome Heights, Hannon enrolled at Syracuse as a biology major on a pre-dental track. At the end of her sophomore year, she changed majors.

“I always had a passion for politics and government,” she says. “I kept it more of as a hobby until finally one day I said, ‘No, this is what I want to do, and Maxwell will provide me with skills I need to succeed.’”

Hannon says classes like Middle Eastern Politics, taught by Teaching Professor of Political Science Hossein Bashiriyeh, and Trunfio’s Judicial Process class, helped her understand how to communicate with people who have different perspectives or point of views.

“I think that was like a big foundation for me, just being able to see many sides of conflicts or controversies,” Hannon says.

She also gained important experience through internships. In addition to working with the village, she interned in the offices of former New York Sen. Robert Antonacci and former Congressman John Katko.

“Maxwell gave me the ability to learn and see government from the inside, especially having that hands-on experience,” Hannon says.

Hannon also says Maxwell gave her the confidence and skills to take on leadership roles and projects that otherwise might have seemed daunting.

For instance, she worked closely with the mayor on seeking community aid through the American Rescue Plan Act, a nearly $2 trillion federal stimulus package focused on addressing the impact of COVID-19.

Back at Maxwell, Trunfio says Hannon was an exceptional student.

“When you teach a course like mine you hope that people take away from it something that they can apply later on in life,” Trunfio says.

Story by Jacob Spudich