Curriculum Vitae

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

  • Passionate and accomplished Educator and Administrator of outdoor, experiential, international, recreational and adventure education for over 25 years.
  • Skilled clinical instructor of backcountry skiing, orienteering, whitewater kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, mountain biking, sailing, sea kayaking, and extended expeditions.
  • Extensive background in developing and implementing interdisciplinary curriculum that incorporates adventure, international, sustainable and academic classroom components.
  • Created International Learning Adventures, a unique immersion program incorporating service learning, expedition planning and adventure education with academic credit.
  • Experienced in conceiving and building adventure education programs from the ground up through curriculum development, risk management, staff development, marketing, program management, administration, planning, technical knowledge, and effective communication.
  • Vast knowledge of wilderness medicine, risk management, and rescue with 25 years of experience in the field, including 17 years as a Wilderness First Responder, five years as an EMT, 12 years as a swift water rescuer, rock rescuer and avalanche instructor.

EDUCATION 

PhD     Prescott College, Sustainability Education, May 2010

International Learning Adventures: A phenomenological exploration of International backpacker style study abroad

 MEd     Portland State University, Education with Honors, April 2002

Differentiating whitewater kayaking curriculum

 BA       Portland State University, History and Spanish with Honors. June 2000.

Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Visiting Scholar, 1999.

AA       Clark College, Liberal Arts Studies with honors, June 1997.

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Association for Outdoor Education and Recreation – First ever recipient of the annual Greg Hawkins “Go Big or Go Home” Award and Scholarship – Awarded to an outdoor professional with a proven track record of teaching students to dream big. November 2014.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education – US Level 1 lead instructor and Level 2 instructor – February 2013
  • Clinical First Responder – Comprehensive 4 day training on facilitating groups in adventure therapy settings – March 2016
  • NOLS Risk Management Training – Comprehensive 3 day course on Wilderness Risk Management – November 2013
  • NOLS/Leave No Trace Master Educator – October 2014
  • American Mountain Guide Association – Ski Mountaineering Guide, January 2015.
  • PADI – Advanced Open Water Certification, July 2004.
  • PADI – Rescue Diver, July 2008
  • Professional Climbing Instructor Association – Single Pitch Rock Climbing Instructor, October 2012
  • AMGA – Improvised Rock Rescue, September 2007
  • American Canoe Association – Level 4 White Water Kayak Instructor Certification, June 1998.
  • Canadian Avalanche Association – Professional Level 1 Avalanche Training, December 2003
  • National Registry of EMT – National Registry Emergency Medical Technician, March 1995.
  • NOLS/Wilderness Medicine Institute – Wilderness First Responder, current to November 2016. CPR certificate, current to November 2016.
  • Commercial Drivers License, Colorado State DMV – Class B with passenger endorsement for buses, current to September 2016
  • American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education – US Level 2 and 3 in February 2001.
  • American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education– US Level 1 and 2 Instructor Training in February 2002.
  • Oregon Teacher Standard Practices Commission – High School Teacher License
  • State of Idaho – Professional Idaho White Water Guide License for Lochsa, Moyie, St. Joe, Salmon, Snake and Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers. Issued March 1996.
  • National Ski Patrol – Winter Emergency Care Technician, August 1994
  • State of Washington – Emergency Medical Technician, June 1995.
  • American Canoe Association Swift Water Rescue – Swift Water Rescue Technician, April 2006.
  • Professional Ski Instructors of America – Level 1 Alpine Ski Instructor Certification, January 1992.
  • Mountain Travel/Sobek – Trained on the Upano River in Ecuador for leading international white water rafting expeditions. December 1999.
  • Fairchild Air Force Base Outdoor Program – Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel Training, June 1991.

 

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

  • Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Conference Presented on PhD experiential cohort model, November 2006.
  • Colorado Outdoor Educator Symposium – 3 day conference, February 2014, 2015
  • Rocky Mountain Sustainability Conference – Sustainable practices in higher education, February 2007.
  • Wilderness Risk Management Conference – 4 day training conference, October 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010.
  • Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Annual – 4 day training conference, November, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.
  • Association for Experiential Education – training conference, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)
  • American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA)
  • American Canoe Association (ACA)
  • Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)
  • Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
  • Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
  • American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)
  • American Avalanche Association (AAA)
  • National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
  • Leave No Trace (LNT)
  • Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
  • Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA)

 

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor of Outdoor Adventure Leadership, 2015 to Present

Faculty Instructor, Colorado Mesa University, 2002 to 2015

Courses Taught:

  • Whitewater Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Sea Kayaking, Canoeing, Swift Water Rescue Techniques
  • Winter Camping, Backpacking, Backcountry Ski Touring, Telemark Skiing, and Avalanche Safety.
  • Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Canyoneering, Rock Anchor, Crevasse Rescue, Rock Rescue, Ice Climbing, Rock Climbing Instructor
  • Adventure Photography, Adventure Writing
  • Orienteering, Scuba Diving, Hiking
  • Sustainable Education
  • Eco Tourism, Sustainable Travel
  • International Adventure Travel
  • International Expedition Planning courses to 55 countries including India, Nepal, China, Southern Africa, Indonesia, Middle East, Central America, South America, Canada, Southeast Asia, East Africa, Turkey, Tibet, Western Europe, New Zealand, Eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia and Caribbean.
  • Risk Management and Administration in Adventure Programming
  • Experiential Learning Theory
  • Wilderness Literacy
  • Wilderness Ethics and Leave No Trace
  • Intro to International Studies
  • Adventure Therapy
  • Wilderness Survival

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Assistant Professor of Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR. Professor of adventure education. Fall 2015 to Present.
  • Adventure Education Masters Program Mentor, Prescott College, Prescott, AZ. Mentor graduate students in the Adventure Education Masters Program, helping students design integrative coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Fall 2013 to Present.
  • Outdoor Program Director and Kinesiology Faculty, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO. Directs and oversees all aspects of the Outdoor Program and related programs. Teaches outdoor recreation courses through the department of Kinesiology. September 2002 to Present.

        Administrative Responsibilities:

  • Design and development of water-based, snow-based, mountain-based, rock-based experiential-based, and international-based curriculum for OP trips and courses.
  • Provide risk management for all program areas based on current trends and industry best practices. Development and implementation of a comprehensive OP Handbook including release/waiver forms, risk management policies, emergency procedures, guidelines related to staff and student training, hiring, and supervision, rental and equipment protocols, and the OP history.
  • Manage all OP equipment including ordering, inventory, storage, and maintenance of equipment, and organization of OP equipment area.
  • Create a positive staff culture for a learning organization. Mentor and council students.
  • Scheduling OP trips and seminars, including arrangement for classrooms, related teaching facilities and transportation.
  • Recruit, select and train1 FTE Assistant Director, 2 part-time professionals, 20 OP trip leaders, 20 assistant trip leaders, 10 coordinators, equipment managers, 50+ volunteers and office staff. Provide in-service training and continual education courses for staff such as avalanche rescue, river rescue, wilderness first responder, rock climbing, mountain rescue, and orienteering.
  • Organize freshman wilderness experiences for over 100 students during the first week of school.
  • Promote and market the program across campus and local community with the development and distribution of program brochures, promotional flyers, newspapers, magazines and on campus TV station.
  • Manage an annual budget of over $350,000, reflecting and forecasting for future OP needs in areas such as payroll and equipment expenses. Increased annual operation budget every year by generating revenue through courses, participant fees, student fees, rentals, and workshops.
  • Reach out to Alumni though Alumni rental program, trips, and writing adventure stories for the Alumni CMU Maverick Magazine.
  • Coordinate advanced level training with organization such as NOLS, AIARE, PCIA and ACA.
  • Designed and implemented International Outdoor Adventure trips in 50 countries.
  • Advise and council the rock climbing club, kayaking club, sustainability council, parkour club, and Meant for Movement club.
  • Maintain vendor and industry relationships with companies such as Black Diamond, Patagonia, Northwest Rivers Supplies, Sierra Designs, Liberty Mountain, Mountain Safety Research, Quality Bike Parts. Etc.
  • Manage the indoor climbing wall, including route setting, training staff, risk management and competitions. Implemented and acquired funding for a brand new indoor climbing facility.
  • Created and maintain a self-sustaining administrative framework, so effective that I can lead up to 3 months of international programs a year.
  • Designed the new Outdoor Program facility, spearheading the transition to a new location in the center of campus. Maintain and upkeep the OP facility.
  • Keep current with industry best practices and contribute to the field of outdoor education though the annual AORE and Wilderness Risk Management conferences, Whitewater Symposiums, writing adventure articles and maintaining an OP library with over 4000 books.
  • Maintain the Outdoor Program website and email list serves.
  • Manage the Wednesday Night Wandering Adventure Lecture Series, an adventure education lectures and slide show program for the entire Grand Junction community.
  • Implemented the Thursday Afternoon Outing program, a free weekly adventure for students to explore the local outdoors surrounding Grand Junction.
  • Implemented outdoor experiential learning activities with CMU Geology and Kinesiology departments.
  • Adventure writer and photographer, Grand Valley Magazine, Grand Junction, CO. Write a monthly adventure column for Western Colorado with over 50,000 readers. Check out http://www.grandvalleymagazine.com/e-editions.html to view on line. September 2009 to Present.
  • Outdoor Program Coordinator and Trip Leader, Outdoor Program, Portland State University, Portland. Led, taught and directed all aspects of program from training coordinators to teaching classes, leading outdoor trips and developing curriculum.  September 1997 to March 2002.
  • Outdoor Trip Leader, Adventura, Quito, Ecuador. Led whitewater rafting, kayaking and sea kayaking in the Amazon River Basin. Responsible for communicating and working with local Ecuadorians and promoting eco tourism as an economical alternative for the Amazon Rain Forest.       August 1999 to December 1999.
  • Outdoor Equipment Specialist and Rock Wall Instructor, R.E.I., Portland OR. Sales specialist in camping, climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, world travel and skiing. Climbing wall instructor in charge of basic skills check, informing climbers of policies and making sure each climber understands and signs the required liability and risk management paperwork. November 1996 to November 1997.
  • Outdoor Trip Leader, River Odysseys West, Coeur d’Alene, ID. White water river guide and kayak support boater. Responsible for the logistical operations, risk management and safety of guests and guides on 1 to 6 day river trips. Trained and recruited guides. Gave interpretive talks about the local history and geology of the area. April 1995 to July 1996.
  • Outdoor Trip Leader, USA RAFT, Fayetteville, WV. White water guide and support kayaker. Helped establish American Whitewater Tours, a first year rafting operation, by training, recruiting, advertising, managing risks and leading trips on the New and Gauley Rivers. In charge of safety of guests and guides on half and full day class IV and V white water runs. September 1992 to October 1995.
  • Manager of Mt. Spokane Ski Shop & PSIA Ski Instructor, Mead, WA. In charge of retail sales of ski equipment, advertisements for ski shop, ski and snowboard rentals, ski repairs and maintenance, inventory, budgeting, employee scheduling and closing and opening of shop. Taught basic to advanced downhill skiing seminars with age groups ranging from 6 to 60. November 1990 to March 1994.
  • Outdoor Trip Leader, Keystone Adventures, Valdez, AK.       White water river guide on 1-day trips to 5-day remote fly in trips in Alaska. Responsible for safety, risk management, swift water rescue training and logistics of river trips. May 1994 to August 1994.
  • White Water Rafting and Kayak Guide, Great Northern White Water, West Glacier, MT. Lead white water trips on the Flathead River, from 1 day to 4 day extended trips. Responsible for logistics and safety of guests and guides. April 1992 to September 1992.
  • High School Student Teacher, Benson High School. Portland, OR. Taught U.S. History to Juniors and Seniors for one semester.       September 2000 to December 2000.
  • Middle School Student Teacher, Environmental Middle School. Portland, OR. Taught Spanish to 7th grade students for one semester and led organized outdoor field studies. January to June 2001.
  • Universidad de San Francisco, Quito, Ecuador. Led university mountaineering class on Mt. Cotopaxi (19,700 ft), the highest active volcano in the world. November 1999.
  • Kayak Instructor and Backpacking Guide, Heidelberg Outdoor Recreation, Heidelberg, Germany. Taught kayaking and led hut-to-hut hiking trips in the German, Austrian and Swiss Alps. August 1996
  • Emergency Medical Technician, Arrow Ambulance, Inc. Coeur d’Alene, ID. EMT on an ambulance crew. March 1996 to May 1996.
  • Mt. Spokane National Ski Patroller, Mead, WA.       Maintained safety on the mountain and provided Winter Emergency Care. November 1994 to March 1994.
  • Outdoor Adventure Program, Fairchild AFB, WA. Guided extended Rafting trips and Mountaineering trips in Idaho and Washington for Air Force Base personnel. May 1990 to September 1991.

 

HIGHLIGHTED INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL FIELD EXPERIENCE

International Competition. Member of the Ecuadorian National Rafting Team. Participated as a member of the first ever Ecuadorian National Rafting Team, competing in the International Latin America Finals in Costa Rica and place 7th overall.  

Rock Climbing/Mountaineering Experience. Started climbing glaciated peaks at age 17 on Mt. Rainer with multiple climbing accents on Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams, Mt. St.Helens, Mt. Hood, South Sister, Mt. Olympus , Mt. Shasta, various 14ers of Colorado and numerous peaks in Chugach Mountains in Alaska. While in Ecuador, climbed Cotopaxi (19,700 feet), Chimborazo (20,700 feet), and Ilineza Sur (17,400 feet). Trekked the entire Annapurna Circuit (15 days) over Thorang La Pass (17,599 feet). Lead a trek to Kalla Pattar, highest point on Everest Trek. Expedition leader for Kilimanjaro, highest peak in Africa. Expedition leader for Aconcagua, highest peak in South America. Expedition leader for Mt. Kotakinabalu, highest peak on Borneo. Expedition leader for Denali, highest peak in North America. Expedition leader along Haute Route in France and Switzerland. Over 400 Rock climbing days to various locations including Moab UT, Smith Rocks OR, Hueco Tanks TX, New River George, Senica Rocks WV, Zion National Park, Colorado National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, Thailand, Vietnam, Pyrenees in Spain, and Leavenworth WA. Have ice climbed all over Colorado and Washington.

White Water Rafting and Kayaking Experience. Have logged over a 2000 river days on class I to V rivers in West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, Colorado and Utah. Have boated internationally in British Columbia, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Chili, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru, Laos, Nepal, India, Uganda, Zambia and Germany.

Ocean Experience. Over 400 sea kayaking days to the San Juan Islands, Baja California, Vancouver Island, BC and Thailand. Over 45 surfing/windsurfing days in California, Bali, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Brazil, South Africa and Mozambique. Over 100 scuba dives in Jamaica, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Honduras, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, New Zealand, Colombia, Panama and Brazil.

Air Time. Skydiving over Moab, UT. Hang gliding over Rio de Janeiro and paragliding over Turkey and Cape Town, South Africa.

Alpine, Telemark and Backcountry Ski Experience. Over 25 years of skiing experience in all aspects of the sport. I taught skiing as a PSIA instructor for over 10 years and have skied in Europe, Canada, Northwestern and Northeastern USA, US Rockies and Alaska. Have logged 1500 days backcountry skiing.

International Expeditions and Overseas Experience. Have traveled to 106 countries and guided 29 international expeditions to 55 countries. Lived and taught English in Taipei, Taiwan for 9 weeks in 1995. Traveled and guided 3 months in Europe in 1996, visiting Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic. Lived, traveled and studied in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 1998 for 3 months. Lived, traveled, guided and studied in Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica for 6 months in 1999. Traveled in Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan Peninsula in 2000 for 1 month. Traveled and kayaked in Nepal and Southeast Asia for 4 months in 2002. Guided Colorado Mesa University student group to Peru, Bolivia and Chile for 1 month in 2003. Guided CMU student group to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand for 1 month in 2004. Guided CMU student group to Patagonia Chile and Argentina for 1 month in 2004-5. Guided CMU student group to Northern India for 2 months in summer 2005. Guided CMU students to Baja, Mexico for 1 month in winter 2005-6. Guided CMU students to Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya for 2 months in summer 2006. Guided CMU students to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and the Yucatan for 5 weeks in winter 2006-7. Guided CMU students to Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet and China for 2 months in summer 2007. Guided CMU students Jamaica for 1 month in summer of 2008. Lead CMU expedition to Argentina and Chile to climb Aconcagua in the winter of 2008-2009. Lead CMU student group through the Middle East, from Cairo to Istanbul in the summer of 2009. Lead CMU students through Southern India for 6 weeks in the winter of 2009-2010. Lead a CMU scuba diving adventure to Belize during Spring Break 2010. Lead CMU students through Java, Bali and Borneo for 10 weeks during summer of 2010. Lead CMU students through Southern Africa for 6 weeks during winter of 2010-2011. Lead CMU trip through the European Alps, from Chamonix to Zermatt along the Haute route during Spring 2011. Lead sea kayak trip around Vancouver Island during summer 2011. Lead expedition to Brazil for 6 weeks during winter 2011-2012. Lead Trans-Eurasia trip from London to Shanghai during summer 2012. Lead expedition to Vietnam for 6 weeks during winter 2012-2013. Lead expedition to Ecuador, Colombia and Panama for 10 weeks during summer 2013. Lead expedition to New Zealand during winter 2013-2014 for 6 weeks. Lead expedition across European Alps in Chamonix, France during spring 2014. Lead expedition to British Colombia during summer 2014 for 5 weeks. Rafted and kayaked 1000 miles for 21 days down the Rió Marañon in Peru during December, 2014.