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 hopes to 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, Assistant to the HMI Semesterscerise@hminet.org x106 Sheri is the Assistant to the Head of School. She has worked at HMI since the first HMI Semester began in 1998. Now, she works four days a week assisting Molly. 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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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.
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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. She taught English and led wilderness trips for a year in Maine, and then moved to The Bahamas, where she spent three years at The Island School, teaching humanities, leading sea-kayaking trips, and working on the admissions and development team. 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. 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 is 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 looks forward to becoming a part of the HMI and Leadville communities, where she will fill her free time with running, skiing, and practicing yoga. |
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Libbey Holewski, Semester Faculty & Finance Assistantlholewski@hminet.org x125 Libbey grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended college at the University of Utah and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Outdoor Recreation. She also walked away from college with a lifelong passion for skiing. Libbey is a PSIA alpine and telemark instructor and has taught skiing at Alyeska Resort and Beaver Creek. Libbey has also worked for the National Outdoor Leadership School as an instructor on sea kayaking, winter 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 she has led courses for HMI and continues to support the HMI community in many different capacities. Starting in Semester XXVII, Libbey will lead expeditions and support student life on campus. She looks forward to sharing her passion for the outdoors with the HMI community. |
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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 son, Hector. |
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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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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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Alex Perkins, English Facultyaperkins@hminet.org x118 Alex was drawn to HMI by the school’s well-rounded approach to education. After many years of guiding teens on extended canoe trips in Northern Canada, he became interested in opportunities that add more depth to his interactions with students. Before finding HMI, he worked for several years as an English teacher and kayak guide for The Island School in The Bahamas. Most recently, Alex taught history and coached skiing and kayaking at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado. Prior to his teaching career, Alex studied journalism at the University of Montana and worked as a newspaper reporter in Littleton, New Hampshire. Alex is currently a candidate for a master’s degree in English through Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. Beyond HMI, Alex is an avid hiker, skier and whitewater kayaker, and he is thrilled to be part of this community and living in an alpine environment. |
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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. |
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Karl Remsen, Mathematics Faculty and Athletic Directorkremsen@hminet.org x120 Karl has been a mathematics teacher, wilderness leader, and the athletic director for the HMI Semester since 2005. He graduated from Williams College in 2003 with a degree in Geosciences and Mathematics. Karl is certified as a secondary mathematics teacher by the Colorado Department of Education and is also an adjunct faculty for developmental education in mathematics at Colorado Mountain College. Along with working at HMI, Karl has taught at the Colorado Outdoor Education Center, was a counselor and unit director at Winona Camps, worked for Swiss Semester, taught for Upward Bound, a national program for first generation college-bound students, is a mentor through Full Circle of Lake County, and runs Leadville Nordic, a local non-profit recreational organization. During the winter months, Karl coaches the Lake County Middle and High School nordic ski teams.
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Julia Stifler, French Facultyjstifler@hminet.org x122 Julia first joined the HMI community in June of 2010 as a summer apprentice, came back as the French apprentice in RMS XXVI, and now joins the community to teach French for the HMI Semester. She graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in International Studies and unofficial degrees in card playing and slack-lining. In addition to French, Julia also speaks Mandarin so you may be able to bribe her into teaching you a third language. Beyond leading trips for HMI's summer programs and semester school, she has spent extensive time in the wilderness as a NOLS semester student and as an instructor for Deer Hill Expeditions in southwest Colorado and The Watershed School in Boulder. Before arriving at HMI, she was a counselor and water-ski instructor at Kingsley Pines Camp in Maine. Julia is passionate about having fun outside with young people, and some of her other interests include running, singing, playing scrabble, and of course, grammar. |
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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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Ryer Triezenberg, Cook & Kitchen ManagerRyer joined the High Mountain Institute in January 2007 after a decade of owning and managing the Tennesse Pass Cookhouse at Ski Cooper. He has a B.S. from The Colorado College. Ryer started his career with eight years at the Pine Creek Cookhouse in Aspen. Aside from his many culinary talents, Ryer enjoys skiing, swimming, hiking, golfing, entertaining his friends and traveling. Living in Leadville for more than a decade, Ryer still finds the beauty of the mountains awe-inspiring. He hopes to be at the High Mountain Institute for a long time. |
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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)! |