Leaders | Staff
Quest leaders are selected from a competitive group of applicants and vary in number each year. They are prepared through a period of training prior to the program which concentrates on handling the emotional, mental and physical aspects of leading a group of rising first years in the wildnerness. Taking participants into the woods can be a very difficult task, but is always rewarding and the skills obtained are applicable to daily life.
The application and selection process takes place in early spring.
Leaders 2007
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 Laura Eckman '08
Major: Biochemistry
Quest Experience:
Leader '06 & '07
"The best part of being a Quest leader is to spread the culture of openness and respect on which the program is based. Participants and leaders alike come out of this program with a better perspective of themselves, and of the world." |
 Jake Narva '09
Major: Computer Coordinates with Political Science
Quest Experience:
Leader '06 & '07, Participant '05
"The best part of being a leader is watching the participants grow as individuals and as a group." |
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 Drew Kennedy '10
Major: Biology & Environmental Science
Quest Experience:
Participant '06, Leader '07
"The best part of being a leader is being able to get back in the park... I love it and missed it all of freshman year." |
 Patricia Cipicchio '10
Major: Neuroscience & Music
Quest Experience:
Participant '06, Leader '07
"My favorite thing about being a leader is helping underclassmen examine their lives and make positive changes. Also I find myself constantly using the skills I obtained as a leader in daily life. It's an irreplaceable experience." |
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 Brooks Barhydt '08
Major: Political Science
Quest Experience:
Leader, '05, '06 & '07
"The best part about being a leader is forming strong bonds with my co-leaders and staff members that will last a lifetime, as well as, meeting the underclassmen and having positive interactions with them once we return to campus in the fall." |
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 Ankit Saraf '10
Major: Electrical Engineering & Math
Quest Experience:
Participant '06, Leader '07
"My favorite memory was when my patrol was patient with a slower member and helped her through tough portions of the trail without us leaders having to say anything. Just watching them come together felt nice!" |
 Courtney Kum '10
Major: Philosophy & Foreign Language: German & Japanese
Quest Experience:
Participant '06, Leader '07
"The best part about being a leader was my co-leader. Teamwork is all you really have out there and having someone like my co-leader made the hardships not seem so hard." |
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 Nikki Oli '08
Major: International Studies & Economics
Quest Experience:
Participant '05, Leader '06 & '07
"The best part of being a leader is watching your participants accomplish challenges and take in leadership roles within the group." |
Leadership is based off of a "Lead from behind" philosophy, one in which leaders will show their participants the door, maybe even open it for them, but never push them through. Participants do everything first-hand, without being pulled along through the program. They are encouraged to develop their own leadership skills to prepare for college life and beyond.
Trinity College faculty and staff will serve as program staff, responsible for facilitating climbs and rappels, in-park transportation, and overall program logistics. Quest staff also play a key role in training leaders for the program. Guides are a constant presence inside the park as a resource, making sure the program runs smoothly. Be on the lookout for them in Canada in August, then back on Trinity's campus in the fall!
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Andy Miller
Quest Director and Assistant Director of Leadership Giving
Brought Quest to Trinity College for its first summer in 2005. He organizes and recruits participants during the school year, and acts as a guide during the program. |
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Matha Burke-O'Brien
ARPN Director, Trinity College Health Center
Active in many roles for the Quest program. Resource on campus as participants arrive prior to the journey, as well as in the park as a nurse during the program, serving as the chief source of medical advice. |
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Tim Cleary
Trinity Class of 2006, Past Participant
Brings experience as a participant the first year of the program. Serves as a guide in the park during the program, and aides in annual leader training. Currently a staff member at Suffield Academy. |
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Mike Heany
Past Professor of Legal Studies at Trinity College
Brings wilderness skills as former Outward Bound instructor and acts as a guide in the park during the program. Also aids in annual leader training. |
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Michael Kellogg
Outdoor Adventure Advising/Consulting Specialist
Often serves as a guide in the park during the prorgam, and assists with annual leader traininy prior to the trip. Currently teaches at an elementary school in Burlington, Vermont. |
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Jeff Lea
Climbing Instructor at Connecticut Mountain Recreation
Runs the climbing and rapelling portion of Quest annually alongside Parmenter. |
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Anne Parmenter
Professor and Field Hockey Coach at Trinity College
Runs the climbing and rapelling portion of Quest annually alongside Lea. Summitted Mount Everest. |
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