Faculty & Staff
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Christopher Barnes, Co-Head of SchoolA passion for intellectual and outdoor pursuits led Christopher and Molly to found the High Mountain Institute and HMI Semester in 1995. Since 1990, Christopher has actively worked in wilderness and traditional classrooms with young adults. After graduating from Colorado College with a BA in Physics, he spent two years studying nature philosophy and apprenticing with a wide variety of outdoor programs in Scandinavia. Field experience with the National Outdoor Leadership School and Deer Hill Expeditions combined with two years of teaching physics at a small boarding school laid the seeds for the dream of creating the High Mountain Institute. Day to day, Christopher oversees implementation of the High Mountain Institute's mission, the school's budget, fund raising, institutional growth, and he plows the snow as needed. Time with family, skiing, sailing, and reading fill out the rest of his schedule. |
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Molly Barnes, Co-Head of Schoolmolly@hminet.org x104 As a co-founder of the High Mountain Institute and HMI Semester, Molly's passion for the combination of wilderness experiences and challenging academics is evident. After thirteen years of overseeing the day-to-day aspects of the Semester, she recently shifted her job to oversee all of HMI as Co-Head with Christopher. Her participation in each semester includes leading an expedition, teaching a few classes, and inviting groups of students home for dinner. After graduating from Colgate University with a BA in Political Science, Molly worked as an assistant teacher and wilderness instructor at a residential treatment center in Jackson, Wyoming; led wilderness and service courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Deer Hill Expeditions; and worked in the residential life office at Colorado Mountain College. She recently completed her MBA at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. When not at High Mountain Institute, Molly enjoys trail running, skiing of all types, sailing, and spending time with Christopher and their sons, Porter & Jack. |
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Rob Backlund, Science Facultyrbacklund@hminet.org x126 Recently graduated from the Teton Science Schools' Graduate Studies Program in Kelly, Wyoming, Rob hit the ground "science-ing" with vigor and enthusiasm at HMI. Prior to his graduate work, Rob taught environmental geology and ecology at the Southern France Youth Institute, led wilderness therapy trips for Alaska Crossings, and climbed mountains for Outward Bound in Colorado. Rob first fell in love with the Rocky Mountains while attending Colorado College, where he received his B.A. in Geology. When not at HMI, Rob enjoys filling free time with backcountry skiing, reading, cooking, making mix tapes, and creating clothing from recycled textiles. |
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Sheri Cerise, Administrative Assistant for the HMI Semesterscerise@hminet.org x106 Sheri is the Administrative Assistant for the HMI Semester. She has worked at HMI since the first HMI Semester began in 1998. Now, she works four days a week assisting Ben and Rebecca. In addition, she handles office supplies for the campus and takes care of the bookstore. Sheri and her husband are both Leadville natives and they raised their two children in Leadville. They own and run a business that Mike's family has owned for over 34 years. They love fishing, hunting, archery, camping and enjoying the mountains. Sheri brings her little dog, Elphy, to school most days. |
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Billy Corbett, English Facultybcorbett@hminet.org x125 A strong belief in the transformative power of experiential education led Billy to HMI, where he was the History apprentice during Semester XXVI, and is now joining the faculty to teach English. Originally from Voorheesville, NY, Billy received his bachelors degree from Dartmouth and his masters in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. An avid climber and skier, Billy is excited to live and work in a place where he has nature at his fingertips, and where he can integrate those passions into his classroom. He also plays guitar and mandolin, and has been known to try his hand at knitting. Shawn Cornella, Maintenance Staffscornella@hminet.org x117 Shawn began working at the High Mountain Institute in the summer of 2007. Besides being High Mountain Institute's "Mr. Fix-It," Shawn is often found painting, wood working, or building something. A Colorado native, he is avid in many outdoor activities such as fly fishing, hiking, and climbing. One of Shawn's favorite things to do is make other people laugh.
Cameron Deamer-Phillips, Alumni AssociateCam has been eager to rejoin the HMI community since he left Leadville in the spring of 2006, when he was a student during RMS XVI. His wish came true in September 2012, when he joined the Admissions and Advancement team as the inaugural Alumni Associate. Born and raised in New York City, Cam fled west for college, eventually ending up at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. After graduating with a B.A. in Rhetoric and Film Studies, Cam led a month-long community service trip for teenagers to SW China with Adventures Cross Country, thereby reigniting his passion for experiential education and outdoor education. Upon his return, Cam stumbled into the field of development when he began work for Seattle's Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. After a year at WWRC, he is excited to bring his experience to HMI to help strengthen their alumni network and encourage HMI alumni to remain close to this unique experience (if you are an HMI alum, please don't hesitate to reach out to him!). No matter his hometown, Cam loves to backpack, ski, bike, and support Oregon Ducks football. |
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Ben Dougherty, Assistant Head of SchoolAs an educator, Ben integrates his love for the natural world with a passion for teaching and learning. After graduating from The University of Montana, he initially pursued careers in ecological field research and outdoor education. However, he quickly discovered that he loved teaching and sharing his interests with youth, thus, he shifted his career into a more traditional classroom, but not too traditional. At the Hyde School in Maine, he co-founded a place-based experiential program for the freshman class. He then went on to teach science, research, and serve as the dean of faculty at The Island School in the Bahamas. Ben is thrilled to return to the mountains and join the team at HMI. When not on campus, he is often running or biking with his wife Laura and their lab Siena, hiking, skiing, or floating on a river in just about any vessel, but most often his kayak. |
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Laura Dougherty, Director of Admissions and AdvancementLaura first learned of HMI and semester schools as an English apprentice in RMS XIII. After her semester, she continued to find ways to integrate wilderness and academics in unique educational environments including the Hyde School in Maine, and The Island School in The Bahamas. Before moving to Leadville, Laura spent a year back in Maine and was lucky enough to be on the team that welcomed the pioneer class of Coastal Studies for Girls, an all-girls semester school. In both her personal and professional life, Laura is passionate about education and the natural world, thus she is happy to be back in Leadville, connecting with HMI friends and alumni across the country. When not in the office, Laura enjoys the miles of wilderness right out her back-door, perfect for trail running, biking and skiing, and spending time with her husband, Ben, and their daughter, Mia. Laura holds a BA from Colby College, and an MA from Middlebury College. |
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Rebecca Flint D'Elia, Dean of Studentsrdelia@hminet.org x113 Rebecca has been a part of the HMI community since 2001 when she was a Rocky Mountain Semester student. She returned to HMI for two summers during college and then came back in 2008 as the French Teacher. After teaching French for three and half years, Rebecca moved into the Dean of Students position. While teaching French, she also began teaching Practices and Principles: Ethics of the Natural World and continues to co-teach that course with Ben Dougherty. Rebecca graduated from Colby College with majors in French and Education and a minor in Women’s Studies. She has instructed for NOLS and led girls’ empowerment groups for Hardy Girls, Healthy Women in Maine and Smart-Girl in Denver and Leadville. Rebecca is passionate about building community, education that extends beyond the classroom, and the overall student experience at HMI. Rebecca loves to travel, bake cookies, daydream, trail run with her husband Paul and her dog Meisha, and visit her family on the east coast as much as possible. |
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Reed Holden, Admissions and Development Assistantrholden@hminet.org x121 After spending 6 weeks at HMI as an intern during the Summer Term, Reed was thrilled to return full-time as the Admissions and Development Assistant. As a Maine native and a graduate of St. Lawrence University, she considers herself fortunate to have had ample opportunities to explore the woods and mountains while she was a student. After earning a degree in Psychology with a minor in Outdoor Studies, Reed headed west to Crested Butte, Colorado and spent several years teaching pre-school. Reed enjoys being a part of the HMI and Leadville communities, and fills her free time with running, skiing, and practicing yoga. Libbey Holewski, Assistant Director of Summer Term & Adjunct Programslholewski@hminet.org x112 Libbey grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Outdoor Recreation. She walked away from college with a lifelong passion for skiing and is a PSIA alpine and telemark instructor. She has taught skiing at Alyeska Resort and Beaver Creek, and has also worked for the National Outdoor Leadership School as an instructor on numerous sea kayaking, skiing, and backpacking courses. After living in Leadville for five years, she joined HMI in the fall of 2010 as the Finance Assistant. Since then, Libbey has continued to support the HMI community in many different capacities. Libbey was a Residential Life & Wilderness Instructor for the Summer Term in 2011, she has led expeditions and supported student life on campus for the HMI Semester, and is excited to continue in her role as Assistant Director of Summer Term and Adjunct Programs. |
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Peter Kernan, Mathematics Facultypkernan@hminet.org x120 Peter has seen HMI in several different capacities, as a student in 2005, as mathematics apprentice in the spring of 2012, and now as mathematics teacher and wilderness leader. Peter earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colorado College in 2011. He returned to CC as a paraprofessional for an environmental thermodynamics course and research analyst on small building energy efficiency particular to Colorado Springs and the CC campus. When not crawling around attics to measure insulation levels, Peter has oft been found perusing wilderness locales. His passion for outdoor adventures has lead him to rocky, mountainous regions across the Rocky Mountain west. Prior to HMI, he lead wilderness and service expeditions for Colorado College and Deer Hill Expeditions. Peter hopes to fill free time skiing, ascending rocks, and improving the thermal boundaries of Leadville homes. |
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Sally Lein, Director of Financeslein@hminet.org x102 Sally has lived in Leadville since 1999 and, has led the High Mountain Institute's business and finance operations since 2007. She is a CPA and graduate from Boston University. Sallys background includes eight years in public accounting and ten years in industry, most recently with Vail Resorts, Inc as the Finance Director of Keystone. She enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, skiing, recreational running and spending time with her husband and children, Hector & Avery. |
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Carrie Mallozzi, Apprentice Program Coordinatorcmallozzi@hminet.org x108 Carrie has been the Apprentice Coordinator at HMI since 2007. She graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies. After leaving the Adirondacks for bigger mountains in Jackson, Wyoming, she completed the graduate program at the Teton Science School and earned her M.S. at the University of Wyoming. Carrie has also taught science and outdoor education at Colorado Mountain College, Outward Bound, and the National Outdoor Leadership School. When not mentoring apprentices, Carrie enjoys mountain biking, gardening, skiing and spending time with her husband, Cooper and daughter, Hattie. |
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Mary Claire McGovern, Mathematics FacultyRaised in Vermont, MC grew up exploring the Green Mountains daily on foot, ski, canoe and bike. She later pursued passions for Math and Biology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Following graduation, MC biked across the country before arriving at HMI as the math apprentice in Semester XXII. Since her apprenticeship, she has returned every summer to the high peaks of Colorado to lead courses for HMI. In the past two years, MC taught math at the Winter Term in Lenk, Switzerland and at the Killington Mountain School in Vermont. In addition to her math teaching career, MC has coached field hockey for many years and is a trained instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. When she is not in the classroom or adventuring outside, MC bakes up a storm and enjoys knitting, quilting, and logic puzzles. |
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Leah Nicholson, Cook & Kitchen ManagerFrom western North Carolina, Leah is excited to relocate to Leadville to join the team at HMI. She has three degrees from Western Carolina University, a BS in nutrition, a BS in nursing, and a MS in health science. Before taking the position at HMI, Leah managed the kitchen at Wellspring Adventure Camp and Academy, a therapeutic weight-loss summer camp and boarding school for overweight teenagers in the mountains of North Carolina. She is enthusiastic about wellness, nutrition, and the outdoors, and she is excited to merge her passions at HMI and share them with others. She is also excited to be part of the running community in Leadville and the opportunity to explore the many beautiful trails and mountains in the area. When not in the kitchen, Leah enjoys trail running with her dog, Milo, gardening, crafting, striving to be self-sufficient, and volunteering at low-income health clinics.
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Eliza O'Neil, Residential Life Facultyeoneil@hminet.org x122 Originally from Massachusetts, Eliza graduated from Bates College in 2009 with a B.A. in Sociology. Eliza spent four seasons working for the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire, where she was responsible for running one of the eight full-service hiker’s huts throughout the White Mountains. Eliza first joined the HMI community in 2010 as Wilderness and French apprentice for RMS XXV. She spent two summers leading backpacking and field studies trips for teenagers through Overland Summers in the mountains of Europe and Africa, and is also a certified field instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. She worked as Head Resident at Coastal Studies for Girls, a science and leadership semester school for tenth grade girls in Freeport, Maine, before returning to HMI as Residential Life faculty. When she is not exploring or teaching in the mountains, Eliza enjoys playing the piano, writing, road biking, and playing games with students. |
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Eliza Parsons, Admissions Associateeparsons@hminet.org x109 Eliza returned to HMI in 2010 as the Admissions Associate after being a student of Semester X. She graduated from Smith College in 2008 with a major in Education and Child Study and a minor in Environmental Science and Policy. Her admiration for the backcountry began as a child growing up in Northern Vermont and in the rural mountains of Costa Rica. Eliza continues her love of nature through skiing, hiking and spending her summers teaching rowing in Vermont. Beyond the walls of her HMI office you will find Eliza baking, reading, telemarking and enjoying the abundant Colorado sunshine.
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Christina Reiff, Director of Summer Term & Adjunct Programscreiff@hminet.org x107 Born and raised in Switzerland, Christina first moved to the U.S. to attend Dartmouth College where she graduated with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Government. During college, Christina led outdoor orientation trips for incoming freshman. After graduating, Christina led backpacking and bike touring trips for Overland Summers and then worked in their office for four years, coordinating their international programs. Christina joined the High Mountain Institute in the fall of 2006 as the French teacher for the HMI Semester. In 2008, Christina transitioned to her current role at the High Mountain Institute. She enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking, running, and hanging out with her husband, Andy, and daughter, Sierra.
Kayla Snyderman, Gear Room ManagerKayla grew up in the Boston area. She was first introduced to HMI through her brother, who attended HMI as a student. She spent six years as a member of the US Freestyle Ski Team, and continues to enjoy the great skiing that Colorado has to offer. Kayla graduated from Dartmouth College in 2011 with an A.B. in Biology, and is headed to medical school in the future. In addition to working in the gear room at HMI, Kayla is a medical assistant at Rocky Mountain Family Practice of Leadville. In her free time, Kayla enjoys running, cooking, climbing, reading, and spending time with Billy and their dog Cotton. |
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Justin Talbot, Director of Wilderness Programs & Risk Managementjtalbot@hminet.org x111 Justin began working for the High Mountain Institute in 2006. As the Director of Wilderness Programs & Risk Management, Justin oversees expedition planning, wilderness permits, and school wide risk management. Justin developed his interest in the outdoors over several trips to Alaska in his teens. At the University of Connecticut Justin earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies, after which he went on to work as a environmental educator and a climbing and mountaineering guide. In 2001 Justin went to work as a field instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. After several years dividing time between working for NOLS and working ski patrol Justin enrolled in the University of New Hampshire to earn a M.S. in Outdoor Education. When not at work Justin enjoys climbing, skiing, and traveling with his wife Cheryl. |
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Matt Turnbull, History Facultymturnbull@hminet.org x114 A native New Englander, Matt made the move to Leadville to teach history at the High Mountain Institute in 2007. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 2000, he earned a Master's Degree in history from the University of Michigan. He has taught in a variety of settings, including stints as a winter naturalist at Vail, an experiential educator in Plymouth, MA, and a sixth grade English teacher in the Boston area. In past summers, he has participated in teaching seminars on "Federal Trials and Great Debates in American History" and "The Progressive Era." He has also led and scouted backpacking and bicycle touring trips for Overland Summers, and instructed The Leading Edge courses for HMI. In his free time Matt enjoys running and biking in the mountains, cross-country skiing through Leadville's winter, and doing jigsaw puzzles while he should be grading papers.
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Amy Woychowski, Spanish FacultyAmy is excited to be living among Leadville’s beautiful mountains and to have the opportunity to unite her passion for the outdoors with experiential education and cultural immersion. Originally from New Hampshire, Amy has always been a girl of the forest and spent much of her youth venturing throughout the White Mountains, where her love for nature was sparked. After graduating from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, Amy traveled and worked throughout Latin America. She spent time in Ecuador as a school teacher, Mexico as an Ecology Instructor, and most recently in Costa Rica working with the Indigenous Maleku people. Aside from exploring new cultures, Amy loves to play soccer, go trail running, practice photography with her film camera, and delve into the world of cooking and baking (some of the time successfully)! |
