City/State: Knoxville, TN
Mentor Level: Level 3
Current Job Title: Coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits
Area of Work: Campus Recreation
Mentor Overview: Josh Elder is the Outdoor Pursuits coordinator in the RecSports department at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He has been with the University of Tennessee for four years now and has a master‘s in Recreation and Sport Management from UTK. He is in his second school year with UTK as a full time professional, and has worked various guiding jobs in whitewater and rock climbing. When not in the office or teaching Outdoor Leadership for UTOP, he can be found on the many whitewater rivers and creeks throughout the southeastern United States. He loves his coffee black and is always willing to chat if you have a fresh cup in your hands.
Certifications:
- American Canoe Association Level 4 Kayak Instructor
- American Mountain Guide Single Pitch Instructor
- SOLO WFR
Areas of Expertise:
- Collegiate Recreation
- Rock Climbing
- Paddle Sports
- Cycling / Biking
- Multi Day Trip Guiding (5+ days in field)
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Event Management
- Program Management
- Sales / Finance / Budget Management
- Academics (teaching outdoor recreation or similar topics)
Mentor Skills:
- Hard Skill Development
- Outdoor Programing
- Personal reflection of strengths and weaknesses
- Boating Skills
- Trip Leadership
City/State: Brevard, NC
Mentor Level: Level 3
Current Job Title: Campaign Representative, Sierra Club Military Outdoors
Area of Work: Nonprofit/Conservation
Mentor Overview: Deidra has worked in various capacities in the outdoor industry over the last decade. Positions include outdoor education adjunct professor, National Park Service internship program coordination/conservation corps experience, working with youth in afterschool, summer camp, and overnight trip capacities, federal park ranger, environmental educator, university trip leader, university challenge course facilitator and program assistant. Deidra has an MS in Experiential and Outdoor Education and focused research on reflection and emerging professional development. Additionally, Deidra has been involved in several program focused on supporting new professionals, has broad industry knowledge (nonprofit, conservation, federal, university, volunteer), has past and current involvement in leadership capacities with AORE, AEE, ACCT, the SCA and current experience with volunteer leadership in BIPOC focused affinity spaces in the outdoors.
Certifications:
- WFR
- WEA Certified Outdoor Leader
- LNT Trainer
- ACCT Level I
- Youth and Adult Mental Health First Air
- National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide
Areas of Expertise:
- Facilitation and teambuilding
- Collegiate Outdoor Recreation
- Non Profit Management
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Event Management
- Program Management
- Human Resources
- Conservation
- Environmental Education
- Federal Land Management
Mentor Skills:
- Networking
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing
- Soft Skill Improvement
- Self-Efficacy
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Job Search
- Leadership
- Personal reflection of strengths and weaknesses
- Non Profit Development / Management
City/State: Harrisonburg, VA
Mentor Level: Level 4
Current Job Title: Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs
Area of Work: Campus Recreation / Challenge Course Industry
Mentor Overview: 8+ years full time in the University Setting, 5+ years working contracted with companies to train and/or certify individuals as ropes course practitioners, supervising students for the past 10+ years, volunteer for AORE for 10+ years in different capacities, network within the challenge course and adventure world still developing over the past 11years.
Certifications:
- WFA
- American Red cross instructor to the FA/CPR/AED
- ACCT Challenge Course Level II Practitioner
- ACA Sea Kayak Level 1
- ACA SUP Level 1
Areas of Expertise:
- Collegiate Recreation
- Paddle Sports
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Multi Day Trip Guiding (5+ days in field)
- Event Management
- Program Management
- Sales / Finance / Budget Management
- Assisting Others in Finding Jobs
- Board of Directors Work
- Academics (teaching outdoor recreation or similar topics)
Mentor Skills:
- Networking
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing
- Soft Skill Improvement
- Diversity
- Job Search
- Inclusion
- Outdoor Programing
- Leadership
- Trip Leadership
City/State: Renton, WA
Mentor Level: Level 5
Current Job Title: Senior Manager, National Field Services - REI
Area of Work: For Profit Retail / Programming
Mentor Overview: I oversee the national field experiences team for REI (~450 staff in 14 locations nationally) who provide day and multi day programming. In my career I have worked for REI for the past 10 years, as the Director of Safety Education and Instruction for the American Canoe Association for 5 years, 6 years leading Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation Program, and 10 years of outdoor retail management.
Certifications:
- American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer:
- Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Essentials of Canoe Touring
- American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer Educator
- Adaptive Paddling
- Coastal Kayaking
- WFA / CPR
Areas of Expertise:
- Paddle Sports
- Cycling / Biking
- Non Profit Management
- Business Management
- Multi Day Trip Guiding (5+ days in field)
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Program Management
- Sales / Finance / Budget Management
- Human Resources
- Outdoor Retail
Mentor Skills:
- Soft Skill Improvement
- Hard Skill Development
- Professionals Advancement
- Outdoor Programing
- Leadership
- Budgeting
- Boating Skills
- Business Development / management
- Non Profit Development / Management
City/State: West Chester, PA
Mentor Level: Level 3
Current Job Title: Associate Director of Campus Recreation for Experiential & Adventure Education
Area of Work: Campus Recreation
Mentor Overview: I have served in my current role for over six years and have supported many undergraduate and graduate students who have been a part of our program. I also have a diverse background in collegiate outdoor programming as I am experienced in multiple areas within student affairs including civic engagement.
Certifications:
- ACA Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Instructor
- ACA Level 4 Swift Water Assessment
- ACCT Level 2 Practitioner
- AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor
- ARC CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor Trainer
- Clinical First Responder
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
- Wilderness First Responder
Areas of Expertise:
- Collegiate Recreation
- Wilderness Therapy
- Wilderness Medicine
- Rock Climbing
- Paddle Sports
- Business Management
- Multi Day Trip Guiding (5+ days in field)
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Event Management
- Program Management
- Academics (teaching outdoor recreation or similar topics)
Mentor Skills:
- Soft Skill Improvement
- Diversity
- Inclusion
- Outdoor Programing
- Leadership
- Boating Skills
- Trip Leadership
City/State: Richmond, VA
Mentor Level: Level 3
Current Job Title: Coordinator, Outdoor Adventure Program.
Area of Work: Campus Recreation
Mentor Overview: I have 6 years of full-time college outdoor program experience (from 3 different colleges), and I have seasonal non-profit programming/trip leading experience (Outward Bound, Student Conservation Association, Girl Scouts of the USA).
Certifications:
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician
Areas of Expertise:
- Collegiate Recreation
- Rock Climbing
- Paddle Sports
- Cycling / Biking
- Non Profit Management
- Multi Day Trip Guiding (5+ days in field)
- Day Trip Guiding (less than 24 hours in field)
- Event Management
- Program Management
- Sales / Finance / Budget Management
- Human Resources
- Academics (teaching outdoor recreation or similar topics)
- Assisting Others in Finding Jobs
Mentor Skills:
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing
- Acquiring a Job
- Self-Efficacy
- Academics
- Outdoor Programing
- Human Resource Management
- Personal reflection of strengths and weaknesses
- Boating Skills
- Trip Leadership