Faculty + Staff | Senior Program

Students and parents alike rave about the Exploration staff. Each year we interview hundreds of students from top colleges and universities and carefully select a team of college and graduate students who are exceptionally talented.


In order to work at Explo, our staff members must possess more than just talent. They must also demonstrate a genuine interest in helping young people be open to learning, and in order to do that, they must be open to learning themselves. We know we hire well when students and staff tell us how much they learned from working with each other.

Our staff—residential and day advisors, instructors, event emcees, discussion facilitators, and trip leaders—will engage you in a variety of roles every day and introduce you to new ways of thinking about the world. You’ll be amazed by the energy of the Explo staff. It’s not unusual for a staff member to teach mechanical engineering in the morning, lead a West African drumming session in the afternoon, engage in a debate about public versus private schools over dinner, and star in a staff improv show in the evening. With a passion for teaching that goes beyond the classroom, our staff are exceptional guides for a summer of exploration.



The following is a partial listing of some of our 2009 Senior Program faculty and staff.



Geoff Theobald is the Head of the Senior Program and he brings a wealth of experience to Exploration. Prior to leading the Senior Program, Geoff was the Academic Dean at Milton Academy where he was responsible for the direction and review of the academic program for 680 students in grades 9 through 12. During his 13-year tenure at Milton Academy, in addition to teaching math and acting as a student advisor, Geoff served as Admissions Director, Financial Aid Director, Assistant Dean of Students, and the Director of the Community Service Program. He also spent seven years as a dorm parent, coached varsity golf, and as head coach for girls varsity soccer, led his team to three Independent School League Championships and one New England Championship. Geoff was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC), where he majored in history and earned his B.A. cum laude. He also earned a master's degree in social work at UNC.



Ken Hansberry is a veteran teacher, administrator, coach, and mentor, having taught history and humanities on four continents over the past 18 years. Ken has extensive curricular and pedagogical training, and has worked with students, teachers, and administrators in a wide range of settings. He has served as chair of a history department and college counselor, and has coached soccer, basketball, and tennis. Ken holds an M.A. in education from Stanford University and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College where he studied government and education. He has visited more than 45 countries, and has experienced adventure travel in Africa and South America. 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 will return to Explo as the Assistant Head.



Allanna Wood graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire with a degree in creative writing and women's studies. In college, Allanna served as president of the women's rugby team, contributor for the on-campus literary magazine, and secretary/historian for Foodlums, a local food activist group. Allanna now works full-time at Exploration as an Admissions Officer and the Financial Aid Coordinator. Allanna will return to the Senior Program, this summer as the Main Office Director.

Alison Nitzsche graduated from Denison University where she studied sociology/anthropology and art history. At Denison she served as a resident assistant, vice president of the sociology/anthropology forum, and 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.

Ben Liston brings extensive experience in mentoring, counseling, and teaching to the Senior Program this year. A graduate of Colby College, Ben also holds an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he studied in Harvard’s Risk and Prevention program. Ben has served in a variety of educational settings, including as a teacher and counselor in the Learning Adaptive Behaviors Program at the Edwards Middle School in Boston, as a counselor for special education classes at the Winthrop School in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and as a teaching fellow at Harvard. Ben currently lives in Guatemala where he works on a variety of education and counseling projects. Ben has also worked full-time for Exploration as an Admissions Officer, and served as an Assistant Dean at the Junior Program. Ben will join the Senior Program this year as Associate Dean of Students.

Greg Cooper is a teacher and administrator with experience in a variety of school settings. He earned his B.A. in political science from Brown University and holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Greg worked for several years as a teacher of U.S. government, journalism, and Latin at The Avon Old Farms School in Avon, CT, where he also coached squash and tennis and served as a dorm parent. He has taught a workshop on current events in the law at a public high school in Philadelphia, and while in law school he served as a teaching assistant for two undergraduate political science classes. In 2007, Greg joined the full-time Explo faculty as an Assistant to the Head, and in spring 2008 Greg also served as an adjunct professor of government at Suffolk University in Boston. After several summers at the Junior Program in the late 1990s, Greg will return for his fourth summer at the Senior Program, now as Dean of Students.

Megan Orwig is a graduate of Carleton College and has also studied 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. Prior to joining the Senior Program last summer, Megan worked for several years at the Intermediate Program, including two years as Assistant to the Head. She will return to the Senior Program this summer as Director of Programming. 

Nicole Zito has taught both locally and internationally, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in K-12 school administration at Boston College. Before moving to Boston, Nicole spent six years as a teacher of physical education and life skills at the Taipei American School in Taiwan, as a middle school Latin teacher at the Bancroft School in Worcester, and as an English teacher at Graded American School in São Paulo, Brazil. At Boston College she supervises undergraduate and graduate secondary student teachers, teaches a seminar for practicum teachers, and serves as an editorial assistant for Boston College’s peer reviewed Learning Disability Quarterly. Nicole received her B.A. in Latin from Haverford College and her M.A. in English from Middlebury College. She will return to Explo this year as Assistant Director of Curriculum.

Rich Lehrer is a veteran teacher, with a wealth of experience in both the United States and abroad. A Canadian citizen, Rich received his B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Regina, his B.Ed. from the University of British Columbia, and his M.Ed. from The College of New Jersey. Following seven years of teaching middle school science on Vancouver Island, he headed overseas in 1996 to teach in the American/International school system. Rich spent six years teaching at the American School of Caracas, Venezuela, three of which were spent as the middle school science department head, and five years at the American School of São Paulo, Brazil, where he also served as the middle school activities coordinator. Rich is currently teaching at The Brookwood School in Manchester-By-The-Sea, Massachusetts, where he serves as upper school science department head. Rich will return to Explo this year as the Assistant Director of Programming.



Alex Dohm graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in German and liberal arts. Alex was a member and officer of the German club and the lead trombonist of the university jazz band. Alex has also been a counselor for English Summer Day Camps in Germany and Austria where he taught English through an immersion experience. Alex currently works full-time at Explo as an Admissions Officer, and he will return to the Senior Program this summer as a Residential Advisor and Instructor of Film Studies.

Alex Miramontes is a recent graduate in interactive arts and media from Columbia College of Chicago. At Columbia College, he was an officer of the Interactive Arts and Media Club, Context: The Video Game Book Club, and the IAM Video Game Club. Alex has designed a number of websites and was a semifinalist for an Adobe Design Achievement Award. This summer, Alex will return as an IT Coordinator and mini-course Instructor.

Annie Wilhelmy currently teaches English at Salem High School in Massachusetts. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, Annie studied education, specializing in secondary English education. While in school, Annie student taught at both the middle and high school levels, where she worked in both traditional and experiential education. She has also served as a teacher and mentor in a variety of after-school programs. Annie will return to Explo as a Curriculum Advisor.

Arielle Avenia is studying printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design. Arielle has served as a teacher’s assistant for a local middle school art class and as an apprentice to a full-time artist. In 2004, the Education Center for the Arts awarded her the Outstanding Achievement for Printmaking award. Arielle will return to Explo this summer as an Instructor of Fashion Redesign and Self Portraiture, and as a Residential Advisor.

Charlie Custer is currently teaching English to students of all ages in the city of Harbin, China, and he has lived and studied extensively in China. Fluent in Chinese, Charlie is a graduate of Brown University, with a degree in East Asian studies. In college, Charlie was a contributing artist and writer for the daily newspaper, and he was the founder of the Brown Songwriters Club. He is also an accomplished rap artist, having produced and released several albums. Charlie returns to Explo this summer as a Curriculum Advisor.

David Rosenbaum is a graduate of Vassar College, where he majored in drama, and he is currently pursuing graduate studies in theatre education at Emerson College. David has previously served as an instructor for Northwest Children’s Theatre and School, and has taught acting classes at elementary schools and community centers in the Portland, Oregon area. David has also acted as the technical director, designer, and technician for Sunset High School in Beaverton, OR. David will return to Explo for his fifth summer, this time as a Curriculum Advisor. 

Jamie Andrade received her BFA in art education and painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Jamie currently teaches ceramics at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts, and she has taught art to high school students at the Boston Arts Academy. Jamie has also worked as an art instructor and dorm counselor for Bethel Camp for the Arts in Bethel, Maine, and has taught a variety of art courses, including computer animation, fashion, painting, and figure drawing. Jamie returns to Explo as a Residential Advisor and Instructor of Furniture Redesign and Fashion Redesign.

Jennie Seidewand is a senior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, majoring in English and art & social change. Jennie is editor-in-chief of her college’s alternative newspaper, and is an officer for the literary magazine. Jennie is also president of the glassblowing club, and is active in the Women’s Collective and the Progressive Student Union. As a Writing Colleague, Jennie also tutors first-year students in writing and leads writing workshops. Jennie will return to Explo this year to teach Creative Writing as well as to serve as a Residential Advisor.

Julia McMillan is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a degree in European history and French. She was involved in Wesleyan’s literary magazine and the dramatic society. Julia has worked at the Island School in the Bahamas, running a weekly “French Lunch” for students, organizing a garden club, and helping to design an irrigation system. This summer, Julia returns to Explo to teach First Aid & Rescue and Sociology of Food. Julia will also be a Residential Advisor.

Lydia Abdo is a music and English double major at University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, Lydia is an accompanist and officer for Penn Glee Club, an editor for The Soapbox, Penn’s political magazine, the music director for U. Penn’s law school light opera company, and a volunteer for After School Arts Program. Lydia is fluent in Arabic and an avid pianist. This summer Lydia will teach Musical Theatre and Creative Writing and will serve as a Residential Advisor.

Megan Nitzsche studies sociology/anthropology at Denison University. At Denison she is a tutor with the America Reads program and a research assistant for a sociology professor, looking at trends in hip-hop lyrics. She also studied hip-hop music in Morocco, where she studied abroad last year. She is currently researching and writing a senior project on English language learning among immigrant students in Columbus. This summer, Megan will teach Immigration in America and Arabic Culture + Society and will serve as a Residential Advisor.

Michael Moses is a Spanish and ethnic studies major at University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Mike holds positions as the diversity/education chair of the University Program Council, an orientation leader for new students, and the vice president and public relations chair of Cultural Ambassador. Mike is interested in Japanese language and culture and has studied the influence of Shakespearean writing on Japan, where he is currently studying abroad. Mike will return to Explo as a Residential Advisor and will teach Japanese Language + Culture.

Molly Fitzpatrick is pursuing a degree in art education at University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She has held various positions at the La Crosse Family YMCA and has done work with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program. Molly has also student taught in a bilingual classroom in a Milwaukee Public School. She is currently student teaching in an elementary school in Shorewood, Wisconsin. This summer Molly will return to Explo as a Residence Director.

Morgan Derby is majoring in international studies at Macalester College. Morgan is an indoor climber with the indoor climbing club at Macalester, a salsa club member, and a residential assistant. She has participated in Earlham College’s U.S.-Mexico Border Studies Program and has interned with the Border Network for Human Rights. At Explo, Morgan will return as a Residential Advisor and will teach Ballroom Dance and International Human Rights.

Sarah Fech is a political science and French student at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Sarah is a member of the speech team and the student government, and has performed in several theatrical performances. Sarah has tutored high school students in speech and debate and has interned for the ACLU and U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. She has also studied abroad in France. This summer, Sarah will return to Explo to teach Law, Controversy + the Constitution and Public Speaking. She will also be a Residential Advisor.

Shannon Kendall graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in communication. At MSU she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the communications department, and as a producer, anchor, editor, and director for a local television station. She currently serves as a production intern for Nickelodeon News. At Explo, Shannon will teach Advertising + Marketing and Broadcast Journalism. She will also work as a Residential Advisor.

Steve Henrick is studying history and political science at Boston University. He is a competition team member for the Mock Mediation Team at BU, president of Spectrum LGBT Students Association, and a campaign intern for MassEquality Equal Marriage Rights Campaign. Steve founded a mock trial program at BU, for which he served as president and chief prosecutor. Steve returns to Explo to teach Mock Trial, and will also serve as a Residential Advisor.

Thurman Winfrey is majoring in biology at University of Virginia. At UVA he works as a lab assistant for Computers4Kids, creating tutorials used by mentors and their students. Thurman has also worked as a team leader for City Serve, an AmeriCorps program emphasizing community development and service for youth. Thurman will return to Explo to teach Biomedical Ethics, serve as a Residential Advisor, and work as a Program Assistant.

Tomi Ketcham is a mathematics and economics major at Temple University. He is also active in his home church, playing guitar and bass with the leadership team and volunteering with various programs. While in high school, Tomi reached the semi-pro/amateur level in skateboarding and was sponsored by three different companies. Tomi will return to Explo to teach Professional Mathematics  and Economics and serve as a Residential Advisor.

Tyson Reuter is a psychology and philosophy major at Hobart and William Smith. He is president of the Pride Alliance gay-straight alliance, a literacy tutor for Boys and Girls Club and America Reads, and a teaching assistant in public policy. Tyson worked at Wediko Children’s Services as a residential treatment facilitator and has also been a camp counselor with the YMCA. Tyson will return to Explo to teach Theology + Philosophy and Developmental Psychology, and to work as a Residential Advisor.