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summer administration The following is a listing of some of our 2008 summer administrators: Ken Hansberry Assistant Head, Senior Program Ken Hansberry received his M.A. in education from Stanford University and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College where he studied government and education. Ken has extensive curricular and pedagogical training and has worked with a vast array of students, teachers and administrators. He has served as chair of a history department and college counselor. Over the past sixteen years Ken has served as a humanities and history teacher on four continents. He has visited more than 45 countries, and has experienced adventure travel in Africa and South America. In the past he has functioned as a soccer, basketball and tennis coach. Ken has also been heavily involved in community service projects and served a one-year term for Americorps where he created the Youth Service Initiative for Hands on Atlanta, a volunteer clearing house. This summer, Ken returns to Explo as the Assistant Head. Michael O’Donnell Dean of Students, Senior Program Michael O'Donnell is a graduate of Dartmouth College where he majored in classics. While at Dartmouth he worked as an undergraduate advisor and was general manager for the college’s radio station. He also spent a semester teaching Latin at the Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. Before beginning his position as Associate Dean of Students at St. Mark’s School, he was a Latin and social sciences teacher at Ransom Everglades School in Florida. Mike returns for his fouth summer as Dean of Students Greg Cooper Associate Dean of Students, Senior Program Greg Cooper received his B.A. in political science from Brown University and recently earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Before going to law school, Greg spent three years teaching U.S. government, journalism, and Latin at The Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, where he also coached squash and tennis and served as a dorm parent. While in law school, Greg taught a workshop on current events in the law at a high school in Philadelphia, and he also served as a teaching assistant for two undergraduate political science classes. Greg now works full-time for Explo as an Assistant to the Head and will return to Explo for his fifth summer. Greg taught at Explo's Junior Program in 1998 and 1999, and he will return for his third summer at the Senior Program, now as Associate Dean of Students. Alison Nitzsche Assistant Dean, Senior Program Alison Nitzsche graduated from Denison University where she studied sociology/anthropology ?and art history. At Denison she served as resident assistant, vice president of the sociology/ anthropology forum, and principle clarinetist for the university orchestra. Alison has also interned for the Museum of African Art in New York City and completed a study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa where she researched the first international biennale of contemporary African art. At Denison Alison worked with a Columbus public school to develop and curate a collaborative photography project exploring Columbus’s immigrant community. Alison now works full-time for Explo as an Assistant to the Head and will return to the Dean’s Office as an Assistant Dean. Megan Orwig Director of Programming, Senior Program Megan Orwig is a graduate of Carleton College and is currently working on her MFA in Physical Theatre at the Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre in California. Megan has worked for the Cambridge Public Schools as part of the Cambridge Performance Project, bringing arts teachers into the public school system. While in college, she spent a semester studying at the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and after graduating, she traveled to West Africa, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland studying lullabies while on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. After several years at Explo’s Intermediate Program, Megan joins the Senior Program as Director of Programming. Justin Snider Main Office Director, Senior Program Justin Snider is a Ph.D. candidate in Politics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also conducts research for the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media. Justin holds graduate degrees from Harvard University, the University of Vienna and the University of Chicago. In 1999, he received his B.A. in English and German literature from Amherst College. Prior to resuming his graduate studies in 2007, Justin taught for seven years in the United States, Austria and Hong Kong. This will be Justin’s sixth summer working at the Exploration Senior Program; this year he will join us as the Main Office Director. Mary-Ann Dunne Director of Curriculum, Intermediate Program Mary-Ann Dunne is a graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Education/Human Services. She has worked in education for almost thirty years, starting in the Arlington and Lynn school districts in Massachusetts, where she designed and taught science and math curricula. She then spent a major part of her career at Boston’s Museum of Science where she led and directed science education, implementing inquiry-based science and running professional development workshops and training for science teachers. Currently she works in the Cambridge public school district as a mentor for teachers, providing curriculum and instructional support. She is joining the Intermediate Program this summer as the Director of Curriculum. Kurt Kleefeld Assistant Director of Curriculum, Intermediate Program Kurt Kleefeld graduated from Marietta College and later obtained his Masters of Education and Educational Leadership from Keene State College. He has devoted himself to education, working as an Academic Coordinator for the Hampshire County School, a math, science, and drama teacher at the Brandon Residential Treatment Center, and a Learning Specialist at the Hillside School. He is currently a Middle School Science Teacher and a dorm parent at the Cheshire Academy. His years of administrative experience include curriculum planning and implementation, as well as mentoring new teachers. He is returning for his tenth summer and will work as the Assistant Director of Curriculum. Conor O'Rourke Director of Programming, Intermediate Program Conor O’Rourke earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pomona College and is now finishing a master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut. At the University of Connecticut, Conor teaches courses in freshman and senior year transitions and peer mentoring. He also coordinates an academic support program for at-risk first year students and has presented assessment from this program at the Annual Conference on The First Year Experience. Conor is a former full-time employee of Exploration and will return to the Intermediate Program this summer as the Director of Programming. Stacey Jones Dean of Students, Intermediate Program Stacey Jones graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Sociology. She began her career as a Director for SCORE! Educational Centers, building specialized curriculum plans to provide enrichment and basic skills support for students. In 2004 she returned to Bowdoin College as Director of First Year Programs where she supported the First-Year class and several identity-based student groups. She is currently the Associate Dean for Students at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, where she coordinates student clubs and counsels residential students. After working in the Dean's Office at the Junior Program, Stacey will join the Intermediate Program as the Dean of Students. Quinn Snellings Assistant Dean, Intermediate Program Quinn Snellings is a graduate of Hamilton College, where she majored in French and Comparative Literature. In addition to her work at Tilbury House Publishers, Quinn worked as a volunteer teacher at the Clinton Elementary School during her college years. An avid traveler, she has lived in France and recently returned from backpacking through East Asia. Last summer she was a part of the Dean’s Office at the Junior Program. She now works year-round for Exploration as the Assistant to the Head of the Intermediate Program, and will work this summer as Assistant Dean at the Program. Tom White Assistant Dean of the Day Program, Intermediate Program Tom White received his B.A. in theater arts from Case Western Reserve University. As an undergraduate he produced, acted in, directed, and designed sets for a variety of theater companies both on campus and in the greater municipal area of Cleveland. He even founded his own film and theater production company, Less Productions, which films and creates multimedia presentations. Currently, he is one of eight people selected from over a thousand to be a part of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Playhouse MFA program. This summer Tom returns to the Dean’s Office as Assistant Dean of the Day Program. Crystal Garneier Main Office Director, Intermediate Program Crystal Garneier graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a B.A. in international relations. Crystal worked as a host coordinator, tour guide, and senior intern for the Admissions Office, served as a resident advisor on campus, and interned at the Office of Intercultural Affairs. An active community service participant, she was a member of Students Organized for Service, a Jumpstart tutor, and an America Reads tutor. She now works year-round at Explo as an Admissions Officer and is the Financial Aid Coordinator. After working at the Senior Program, Crystal will be joining the Intermediate Program as the Main Office Director. Jess Keenan Dean of Students, Junior Program Jess Keenan is a graduate of Colby College, where she majored in American studies and minored in environmental studies. Jess attended the School for Field Studies in Atenas, Costa Rica, was captain of the Colby women’s swimming and diving team, and was on the All-Academic Team. After teaching in Wyoming, Jess moved to Portland, Maine where she now works at the Waynflete School. Jess returns for her seventh summer at the Junior Program and will be the Dean of Students. Joel Hebert Assistant Dean of Students, Junior Program Joel Hebert earned his B.A. from Williams College and his masters degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi. Joel was a Dean's List student at both institutions, and also rowed on the crew team and served as the Dennett House President for the Housing Committee at Williams College. Joel recently taught high school in rural Mississippi, and now teaches English at Bedford High School in Bedford, MA. In addition, Joel is the faculty advisor for the Frisbee Club at Bedford High, and coaches high school track. Joel returns to the Junior Program, this time as an Assistant Dean of Students. Paloma Herman Assistant Dean of Students, Junior Program Paloma Herman recently earned her B.A. from Brown University. At Brown, she was the Resident Counselor Coordinator for the Office of Residential Life, and also a member of the Bruin Club, which hosted potential students at Brown. Paloma has also been a member of Building Understanding Across Differences, a discussion-based diversity group, and studied abroad in Italy. She currently works at the San Francisco School, an independent school where she teaches eighth grade Spanish, coaches girls' basketball, and works as an Admissions Coordinator. She returns for her fifth summer at the Junior Program, this time as an Assistant Dean of Students. Nick Malakhow Assistant Dean of the Day Program, Junior Program Nick Malakhow is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where he studied English literature and theater. Nick was active in Swarthmore’s theatre department and was a writer and editor for the humor magazine. He is also an accomplished fencer and won numerous trophies as a member of his high school’s varsity fencing team. Nick is currently teaching high school English and theater at the Westtown School in the Philadelphia area. He returns to the Junior Program for his fifth summer, this time as the Assistant Dean of the Day Program. Betsy Gott Director of Curriculum, Junior Program Betsy Gott earned her A.B. from Bowdoin College in government and legal studies and education. She also holds a master’s in education from Simmons College with a concentration in students with moderate disabilities. Betsy recently taught Social Studies and Language Arts at the Landmark Elementary Middle School in Manchester, MA, and also served as the athletic director for middle school sports. She currently volunteers with Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay as a mentor for a thirteen year old girl, works as an alumni interviewer for Bowdoin College, and plays ultimate Frisbee for a Boston club. Betsy works for Exploration during the academic year as the Assistant to the Head of the Junior Program, and returns this summer as the Director of Curriculum. Joe Alberti Assistant Director of Curriculum, Junior Program Joe Alberti is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where he majored in linguistics and education. He is now working towards his Ph.D. in reading, writing, and literacy education at the University of Pennsylvania. At Swarthmore, Joe was an elementary school teaching intern for science, a pet training instructor, coordinator for the Positive Alternatives in Chester Tutoring Group, and coordinator for the Good Schools PA Advocacy Group. Joe recently taught seventh and eighth grade science and currently teaches third grade in Philadelphia Public Schools. His school and classroom were recently written up in the Philadelphia Enquirer as an example of schools that really work. Joe returns as the Assistant Director of Curriculum. Stephanie Flournoy Director of Programming, Junior Program Stephanie Flournoy graduated with a B.A. in English from Haverford College. Stephanie has been involved in community work in New York City, where she recently worked as a New York Advisory Board member for the College Access Consortium. She has also worked at the OPTIONS Center for Educational and Career Choice at the Goddard Riverside Community Center, which is a settlement house in New York City. There, she counseled underrepresented high school students about college and financial aid, and ran a professional development institute to teach other counselors about working with this population of students. Stephanie returns this summer as the Director of Programming at the Junior Program. Lisa Summergrad Main Office Director, Junior Program Lisa Summergrad is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Haverford College, where she studied English with a concentration in Creative Writing. At Haverford, Lisa co-founded a student-run musical theater group and was also the editor of the literary magazine. She also selected and trained student advisors for first-year orientation, and worked as a residential advisor for first-year students. Lisa currently works at Exploration as an Admissions Officer during the academic year, and will return for her fifth summer at the Junior Program. She will be the Main Office Director.

our faculty and staff Comprised of college students, graduate students, and professional educators, Exploration has one of the finest faculty and staff of any summer program in the country. In preparation for each summer, we spend months interviewing hundreds of prospective faculty members and reviewing their applications. As a result, we hire some of the best faculty imaginable from around the country. Our faculty have all the qualities you would want in a mentor — dedication, enthusiasm, responsibility, creativity, and an open mind. They are passionate and talented people who bring a true love of life and learning to the Program. Click here for more information on faculty hiring. where they come from Our faculty of undergraduate and graduate students come from some of the nation's top universities and colleges, including: Amherst College, Bates College, Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Bryn Mawr College, Carleton College, Clark University, Colby College, Colgate University, College of William and Mary, Columbia University, Connecticut College, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Davidson College, Denison University, Duke University, Georgetown University, Hamilton College, Harvard University, Haverford College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Kenyon College, Macalester College, Massachusetts College of Art, Middlebury College, Mount Holyoke College, New York University, Northwestern University, Oberlin College, Pomona College, Princeton University, Reed College, Rutgers University, Smith College, Stanford University, Swarthmore College, Tufts University, UCLA, University of Chicago, UMass, Amherst, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Wellesley College, Wesleyan University, Williams College, Yale University

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