Voyages Staff/Leaders 2013
We are proud of this amazing group of Pacific staff, faculty, and students who make up the Voyages Team, and who work year-round to make Voyages the best experience it can be. We come from diverse places and a variety of backgrounds, but a love of the outdoors and connecting with new people brings us together.
We hope to see you on a Voyage!
(Picture: 2012 Voyage Leaders)
Phil Zook Friesen, M.S.
Voyages Coordinator
phil@pacificu.edu
I am the father of two fantastic boys that I love to go on adventures with. I have a passion for teaching people outdoor leadership and helping students understand better who they are and how their strengths can be used to make this world a better place. I get a kick out of challenging people beyond pre-conceived limits. For example, I think it is awesome to see a student do a climb they never thought possible or run a rapid they were afraid of just a few months before.
Carolyn Cartwright
Voyages Coordinator
Exercise Science '13
Hello! My name’s Carolyn and I am from Buxton, OR. Growing up my sister, brother and I spent lots of time outside adventuring and playing with our dogs. We always did sports as a family, like backpacking, hiking, skiing, cycling, and kayaking. Many of my favorite places and memories involve being outdoors with friends and family. I went to school in Beaverton, OR and chose to attend Pacific because of its strong academics and active student body. I will be a senior this year majoring in Exercise Science. I love meeting new people and am so excited for this year’s voyages. They are an experience, one like none other that will be a perfect transition into this wonderful school. Stop by anytime and I can’t wait to meet you! :)
Kristine Valdez
Voyages Coordinator
Public Health '14
Hey hey hey! I am so excited to be one of the coordinators for Voyages 2013. I embarked on my first Voyage as a transfer student, then led a Voyage this past year, and it was a life-changing experience. I have grown so much physically, mentally and emotionally the last two years here at Pacific as a student-athlete that has found a love for being outdoors. I will be graduating in 2014 in hopes to pursue my public health career. You can find me either swimming laps, cycling down the road, or climbing the rock wall. As a Pacific Northwest native, I enjoy being around the forest green trees and don’t mind the rainy days. I hope to you this August! Peace.
Dan Pitluck
Voyage Coordinator
Math '14
I’ll be a senior this fall at Pacific, majoring in Math and hoping to become an actuary. Since coming to Oregon for college, a big part of my life has been finding new adventures in the great outdoors (and in climbing gyms). Ever since going on a Voyage as a freshman I have been involved with the Voyages program and Outback. This has been a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and a leader, and to get off of campus on the weekends. I cannot wait to meet all of you and climb some rocks!
Ryan Bourgaize
Voyage Coordinator
Chemistry '14
Howdy there! This will be my last year at Pacific as my Chemistry Degree gets closer and closer. Ever since I was a little tike I remember camping down in Joshua Tree with my family. The love only grew from there and now I can’t stop! My favorite outdoor adventures lie anywhere from Backpacking, mountaineering, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, and canoeing. If it is a nice day out, you can bet that I will find some sweet spot to hang out, throw that disc around and get on the slack line! I’m really excited for another round of Voyages and can’t wait to meet you adventurous ones!
Gavin Brown
Surfing Leader
Film and Video Production '14
Hi!! My name is Gavin Brown and I will be a senior this fall. I am majoring in Film and Video Production with a minor in Comparative Religion. I was born and raised on the Oregon Coast in the town of Seaside. I love Oregon and everything that you can do in the outdoors here. I love camping, hiking, surfing, rafting, cycling in the outdoors. I am an avid handball player (it’s like racquetball) and play competitively for the school’s team. I truly enjoy meeting new people and gaining new experiences. Oregon is a wonderful place and I am excited to be able to meet all of you this august and catch some sick waves!
Jess Hattig
Sea Kayak Leader
Public Health '15
Growing up nature has always allured me in multiple ways. As a child, I was always caught exploring untouched earth hidden beyond coniferous tree's and diving into creeks to discover salamanders and fish. Nature has fueled my natural curiosity by allowing me to discover new aspects of living and has allowed me to expand my realm of being by giving peace within myself. Leading the Sea Kayak Voyage, I get the opportunity to do a few of my most favorite things: Working with people and expressing my love of the outdoors. So, expect to have a great time on our awesome adventure together!
Tanya Trowbridge
Backpacking Leader
Environmental Studies '14
Heya everybody! My name is Tanya and I am ecstatic to be leading a voyage again this year! I am a senior studying Environmental Studies with only a small idea of what I plan to do after I graduate. I love being outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking, just don’t ask me to steer a canoe. I am also really involved at B St Farm, and love working in the dirt. Additionally, I am a huge plant geek. I cannot wait to meet you all and have a great summer.
Stacie Struble
Exercise Science '15
Hello, future Boxers! My name is Stacie, and I will be a junior at Pacific in the fall. I am pursuing a major in Exercise Science and a minor in photography. My freshman year, I embarked on the surfing Voyage, and loved it so much that I came back to lead it last summer. I’m looking forward to this summer and to spending quality time out on the waves with some of you! My love for the outdoors continues to grow as I take more hikes, more pictures, and more adventures; I’ve discovered that outdoor activities are a great way to connect with new people, and reconnect with old friends. Every time I go on leave Forest Grove in search of a weekend adventure with friends, I am happy knowing that I will come back with many memories. I can’t wait to start an adventure with you guys! See you in August!
Autsen Taylor-Kohn
Sea Kayak Leader
Philosophy '15
What's up! My name's Autsen and this year I'll be a junior here at Pacific majoring in philosophy and minoring in outdoor leadership. I love music, good food, and time spent out in the backcountry, but nothing gets me going quite like being on the water. I'm an avid sea kayaker, but I'm also beginning to discover the joys of whitewater kayaking and rock climbing. Outback got me hooked on the outdoors my freshman year, and since then I've been looking to pursue a career in outdoor education. I'm super stoked to meet all of you on Voyages this fall!
Ted Wogan
Rock Climbing Leader
Exercise Science '15
Ted is the man with a banana guard because a squished banana in a backpack sucks. His passions include Alpine Skiing, Ski mountaineering, Mountain Biking, Backpacking, Slacklining and Rock Climbing. Although Ted is really interested in everything that includes the great outdoors. He is working on on a major in Exercise Science. and double minor in Psychology and Outdoor Leadership. Ted is always trying to push himself and others to past preconceived limits.
Sascha Smith
Backpack and Canoeing Leader
Exercise Science '15
Hi all, I am a junior and second year voyage leader this year. I am from Montana and grew up taking trips all over Montana camping, canoeing, kayaking, and just hanging out with the group at bonfires by the river. I am super excited for this year’s trips. I love being outside camping, backpacking, canoeing, and whatever else is thrown my way. I like meeting new people and always have fun with new experiences. Can’t wait to see how this year goes!
Becca Klassy
Multi-Element Leader
Psychology '15
Hello new kids! This fall I will be a junior at Pacific, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Outdoor Leadership. My voyage my freshman year was my first real exposure to the backcountry, and since then, the outdoors have become a huge part of my life. My favorite outdoor sports are rock climbing and horseback riding, but I also love kayaking, hiking, canoeing, and rafting, to name a few. Whatever you do, do not ask me about my horse, because I will not shut up. I can't wait until August!
Hailey Jongeward
Backpacking Leader
Environmental Biology '15
Hello! My name is Hailey Jongeward, and I am from the very rainy but awesome Bellingham, WA! I will be going in to my junior year at Pacific with a goal of majoring in Environmental Biology, and a minor in Outdoor Leadership. I have a passion for skiing, and burritos, but I enjoy various other activities as long as its an adventure. I love the mountains, so you can find me where ever there may be some snow! Voyages was an awesome learning experience for me, and I hope to share some fun times with you all!
Wes Heredia
Backpacking Leader
Environmental Science '15
Michael Mejia
Rafting Leader
Exercise Science '16
Hey, my name is Michael Mejia and I’ll be a sophomore here at Pacific. I’m an Exercise Science major and Coaching minor. I’m from Fresno California and enjoy fishing, dirt bikes, bonfires, jet skiing, and wake boarding. I am also a member of the Pacific football team. My background in the outdoors ranges from backyard camping trips to backpacking through the Sequoia National Forest. I have a love for being outside and challenging myself both physically and mentally. My first experience with Voyages was great and I got to meet a lot of my teammates before fall football camp started. It has been one of my best college experiences so far.
Katelyn Hennes
Backpack/Canoeing Leader
Exercise Science '16
Hey everyone! my name is Katelyn Hennes and I am an Exercise Science major and Outdoor Leadership minor from sunny San Diego. My voyage last year was the first time I had ever really done anything incredibly outdoorsy and going on the trip made me realized that I love being in the backcountry. I had an amazing time and hopefully you guys will all have as great of an experience on your voyage as I did! I am a swimmer here at Pacific but in addition to swimming I love anything that keeps me active and gets me outdoors. Once I am done with my swimming career here I hope to get into doing triathlons, however my ultimate goal is to become a Physical Therapist. I can't wait to meet and share my enthusiasm for the outdoors with all of you! You all have some good times coming your way, and I hope your voyage can be the start of some of the best experiences of your life.
Mia Prohaska
Civic Engagment Leader
Psychology '16
Hi! I’m Mia Prohaska and I come from the cold and cheese filled state of Wisconsin. I’m majoring in Psychology and minoring in Disability Studies. My goal in life is to travel the world and create safe havens for people with disabilities. I love travel and spent my senior year in Thailand. I also love being outside, playing with dogs, getting lost in big cities, eating unique foods, visiting the coast and playing video games. I can’t wait to be a voyage leader and have an absolute blast this summer!
Katie Oliver
Sea Kayak Leader
Class of '16
Hey guys! My name is Katie, and this fall I am a sophomore. I grew up the one and only beautiful Portland, Oregon. Growing up, I've always loved the great outdoors. My favorite activities are hiking, snowboarding, bike riding, kayaking, swimming, white water rafting, dirt biking, and backpacking. After college, I hope to spend some time guiding all kinds of adventures! Speaking of college, I am currently undecided regarding my major. I am thinking something along the lines of Biology, because I would like to work in wildlife management. As much as I love outdoor adventures, I have other hobbies that I enjoy. I play guitar and piano, and one of my favorite things to do is get together with a group of friends and make music together. I also play on Pacific's lacrosse team, which has been a crazy (in a good way) experience. My experience with the Outback has been incredible, and I am so excited to lead a voyage this year!
Cameron Chow
Multi-Element Leader
Chemistry '16
Hi. My name is Cameron. I am ecstatic to go on a wonderful Voyage with you. I come from a lovely place called Happy Valley, OR (which is just right outside of Portland). I study chemistry at Pacific. My outdoor adventures consist of rock climbing, swimming, hiking, camping, and being in the general outdoors. Aside from Voyages you might find me in the pool with the Swim Team, or running around taking photos for the Pacific Index. I am excited to go on adventure with you!
Jasmine Edwards
Rafting Leader
Exercise Science '16
Hi, there! My name is Jasmine, and I grew up in Auburn, CA (halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe). Growing up in the beautiful American River Canyon surrounded by lakes and mountains, I have lived in the perfect environment for fun in the outdoors. I love to play soccer, run on the many trails in the canyon, backpack, swim, boogieboard, camp, and ski! In the summer, I enjoy backpacking in Yosemite, organizing camping trips with my friends, and hanging out at the lake or the river. In the winter, I head up to Truckee or Tahoe and hit the slopes with my dad. Eventually, I hope to be a physical therapist for children and continue being adventurous all through my life. I'm super excited to be a voyage leader and be more involved with the Pacific Outback because so far, it's been a blast. Happy trails!
Caleb Gardner
Rafting Leader
Education '16
Hey there everyone! I’m Caleb and I’ll be a sophomore this coming fall and I’m super psyched to lead a group of you on a trip. Right now I’m an education major with a minor in outdoor leadership so I live for the outdoors. I love learning new things like slack lining and I’ve found myself really getting into the professional extreme snowshoeing scene right now. I love water sports, so if any of you ever want to go paddling or rafting don’t hesitate to ask. My voyage last year was rafting and it emerged me into this outdoorsy community we have at Pacific and that’s something you won’t find at another college. I grew up just across the way in Oregon City and am pretty sure I can solve a Rubik’s cube faster than most. I’m super excited to meet all of you in the fall! See you all then and remember, “and from there, the sky is… the sky.”(Chris Lines)
Rachel Mason
Rafting Leader
Chemistry '16
Hello! My name is Rachel and I am from Lebanon, Oregon. I am going to be a sophomore studying Biology or Chemistry with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. I was born and raised in the beautiful wilderness of Oregon. Rafting is my life during the summer and during the winter I love to go skiing. I’m always down to go on an adventure, as long as it includes the great outdoors. When I’m not out adventuring (or planning the next one), you can find me hanging out around campus. If you see me, stop by and say hi! I love meeting new people, and that’s what Voyages are great for. I met a bunch of my friends on my Voyage. I hope you are all as excited for Voyages as I am! See ya in August!
Britta LaVois
Backpacking Leader
Education '16
Hey folks! My name is Britta and I'm in love with the outdoors! Ever since I can remember, I've been happiest when hiking a mountain, climbing a tree or simply sitting in the sun soaking in the beauty of the world we live in. I’ll be going into my sophomore year and am majoring in Education and German and minoring in Outdoor Leadership and TESOL. I’m from Spokane, WA and like spending my days backpacking, pole vaulting, bike touring, and skiing. I love rain, traveling, being barefoot, stargazing, chocolate, and the “simple joys” of life. My own voyage was an amazing time of memories and friends that set the stage for an awesome first year at Pacific, and I hope you’ll have the same great experience. Looking forward to meeting you all soon and having the chance to explore our awesome world with you!
Not pictured:
Rich Harman, '13 Sea Kayak Leader
Jordan Lais, '15 Whitewater Rafting