An invested, motivated, well-balanced team has been an essential element of College Excel’s ability to exceed the industry standard for 17 years and counting. Please click on the photos for bios and contact information.
Executive and Administrative Team
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Jeannie Crowell, CMC
Founder/Staff Coach
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Tomas Amodio, MA, MBA
Executive Director
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John Sabol, BS
Operations Coordinator
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Jon Baker, BS
Admissions Director
Jeannie Crowell, CMC
Founder/Staff Coach
- Licensed Behavioral Coach Certifier
- Certified Master Coach (CMC)
- Certified Neuro Coach (CNC)
- Certified Ayurvedic Life Style Coach
Tomas Amodio, MA, MBA
Executive Director
Tomas earned his MBA through the Presidio Graduate School, where he completed his thesis on expeditionary style learning and self-concept change, and holds a master’s degree in recreational administration .
Tomas has over 20 years of combined experience in leadership education, change management, and creative facilitation. Most recently, as a consultant, coach, and trainer, he directed programs for universities to improve student outcomes by building stronger student support services and conducting needs and readiness assessments to enhance the student journey.
He discovered his passion for education during his tenure at the National Outdoor Leadership School where he led 30-90 day wilderness expeditions and designed and delivered university courses on advanced leadership, communication, environmental resource management, judgment, and decision making. In addition to his background in education, Tomas helped create and operate a mental health clinic for trauma survivors and worked as a small business development, sustainability, and planning consultant.
Tomas spends the majority of his free time outside on the water, rafting, sailing, paddle boarding, and swimming with his wife, daughters, and dog.
Education: Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Solutions, Presidio Graduate School, WA
Master of Arts, Recreation Administration, California State University, CA
Bachelor of Science, Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Human Ecology, Indiana University, IN
Certifications:
- Certified Change Manager | PROSCI
- Master Educator / Leave No Trace
- Natural STEP Network
- Applying The Natural Step Framework
- Strategic Sustainability for Leaders
- WFA Instructor | Wilderness Medical Inst.
- Member | NAVHDA
- Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
From: Evansville, IN
Proud Dad of Pudlepointer, Messi
- [email protected]
- 541-414-6629
John Sabol, BS
Operations Coordinator
John graduated from San Jose State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business and Industrial Management. After graduation he served four years as a Captain in the United States Army where he was an Aviator and Operations Officer of an Army airfield.
His previous experience includes 22 years as a senior executive with the Gap Stores Incorporated, where he held the positions of Senior Vice President of Merchandising, and then Senior Vice President of Corporate Administration. His most recent experience was in the real estate profession where he was a licensed broker in both California and Oregon.
John and his wife have called Bend home for the past 5 years. Hobbies include fly fishing, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with their adventurous dog Parker.
Education: BA Business and Industrial Management, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
From: San Francisco
Proud dad of Parker
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Jon Baker, BS
Admissions Director
Jon graduated from Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental communication and education.
Prior to College Excel, Jon worked for over ten years in the wilderness therapy industry, where he helped hundreds of families overcome hardships, heal their relationships, and move forward with optimism and confidence. He held positions as a program director and field supervisor at a nationally recognized wilderness therapy program, where he was responsible for directing and developing a team of 35 and overseeing the integrity of services delivered, risk management initiatives, and business operations.
Jon discovered his passion for outdoor education and personal transformation at Ohio State, where he led groups of college students on outdoor adventures and facilitated climbing trips for at-risk, disabled, and homeless youth. His desire to help others through the process of self-discovery and emerging adulthood continues to inspire his work today.
Jon spends his time off enjoying beautiful central Oregon with his wife, two amazing children, and elderly dog.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, Ohio State University.
From: Canton, OH
Proud dad of Howser
- 541-388-3043
Academic and Program Team
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Summer Hornbeck, MAT
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John Wright, MFA
Academic and Curriculum Development Manager
Summer Hornbeck, MAT
Summer earned her Masters of Arts in teaching through Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition, she holds a BA from the University of Colorado in environmental studies. Over the past 20 years, Summer has devoted herself to helping students in both traditional and therapeutic settings embrace their ability to thrive regardless of their circumstances. Her career has led her from teaching in a public middle school to developing curriculum for an accredited wilderness therapy program to building and leading teams to maximize their performance. Her wealth of experience and expertise highlights her ability to positively impact the lives of those around her, including helping parents of struggling young adults to become powerful mentors in their children’s lives and establishing research methods for data collection and analysis to improve the delivery of services for a diverse population of students.
Summer leads an active life with her husband, two teenage daughters, and an energetic Australian Shepard named Zeal. They spend their free time camping and hiking in the Cascades, biking the endless trails just outside of Bend, and skiing at Mt. Bachelor. Originally from the Midwest, Summer and her family relocated to Bend nearly a decade ago. They have found that Bend truly allows for an integrated lifestyle of work, community involvement, and space to explore the wilderness.
Education:
Master of Arts in Teaching, Cardinal Stritch University, WI
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Science and Biology, University of Colorado – Boulder, CO
License:
Licensed Oregon Teacher
John Wright, MFA
Academic and Curriculum Development Manager
John grew up in Eastern Kentucky and has since lived in Lexington, Chicago, Portland, and rural Oregon. He loves road trips, and his travels have taken him all over the West, to South America, and to every county in Oregon. He holds a bachelor’s in English from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
John’s career has encompassed nonprofit communications and development, educational publishing, and higher education. Before moving to Bend, John was a faculty member at Portland Community College, where he taught developmental English and worked to reform his program within the college. John led dynamic and innovative classes at the college and forged lasting relationships with his students. He is interested in the holistic development of students, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Outside of work, John spends much of his free time writing, creating digital art, and deejaying. He hosts a podcast, and his writing has appeared in a number of print and online publications. John also enjoys camping and backpacking and has a particular affinity for the Oregon desert.
Education: M.F.A., Writing, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
B.A., English, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
From: West Liberty, Kentucky
Proud dad of Daphne, a Red Heeler mix, & Maxwell, a Timberwolf mix
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Student Success Team
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Conor Leland, BS
Student Success Coach/Tutor
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Lisa Wormley, MA, BS
Student Success Coach
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Vanessa Eaton, BA
Student Success Coach
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Graham Moore, BA
Academic Coach
Conor Leland, BS
Student Success Coach/Tutor
Conor graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in community and international development. While at UVM, Conor was a celebrated member of the men’s soccer program. Some of his favorite activities include camping, kayaking, hiking, skiing, playing and coaching soccer. Conor has found joy in experiencing new cultures through travel. Some of his favorite adventures have taken him to Ireland, Netherlands, South Korea, Jamaica, and St. Lucia. Conor is passionate about providing students with the academic, executive functioning, social, and independent living skills they need to facilitate the transition to college and independence.
Lisa Wormley, MA, BS
Student Success Coach
A native to Colorado, Lisa grew up with a deep admiration for the outdoors. Community engagement, adventure, and travel have guided many of her endeavors. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies from Colorado State University and a Master’s of Education in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. Lisa’s belief in social entrepreneurship, personal change, and cultural awareness stems from her experiences studying, working and living overseas. She has spent several years immersing herself in various cultures working on farms, teaching English, rock climbing, outdoor guiding, and simply learning from the world around her.
Lisa has an overriding passion for experiential education, service-learning, and environmental stewardship. A few of her favorite experiences include facilitating service-learning programs in East Africa, swimming with manta rays in Fiji, and hiking through old growth forests in Australia. Lisa feels extremely fortunate to be a part of witnessing the transformation that takes place for students as they discover their strengths, passions, and potential. Throughout her career, Lisa has gained experience working with diverse groups of students, developing curriculum, risk-management, and creating inclusive spaces for students to engage in and express themselves.
With a background working in higher education, Lisa brings valuable insight to the holistic student college experience. When she’s not at College Excel, Lisa is most likely spending time on her bicycle, skiing, enjoying music with friends, or playing with her pup, Kapo!
Dog: Proud Mom of a Border Collie/McNab mix, Kapo.
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Education: BS – Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO
MEd – College Student Services Administration, Oregon State University – Corvallis, OR
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Vanessa Eaton, BA
Student Success Coach
After graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in English literature, Vanessa decided to continue to follow her passion for teaching and connecting with different cultures by volunteering to teach English in Peru. Once Vanessa returned, she decided to pursue teaching as a career and obtained her certification for secondary education.
During her journey as an educator, Vanessa has led at-risk students on extensive backpacking trips, created a variety of yoga and mindfulness programs for all ages, and taught traditional curriculum in public and private school settings.
Vanessa is devoted to helping others find meaning in life by helping them connect with their true selves and cultivate their passions. She is also very committed to teaching self care practices, such as yoga and meditation as they have dramatically improved the quality of her own life over the years.
Traveling the world has always been a lifelong goal for Vanessa and one that has led her on a path of exploration and self discovery. She has traveled throughout Central and South America, as well as Europe, India and Nepal. In her free time Vanessa enjoys hiking with her dog Jaxson, snowboarding, practicing yoga, or planning her next adventure.
Education: B.A. in English Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder
Post BA Teaching Licensure Program: University of Colorado at Boulder
Certifications:
- 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Certification: Pisac, Peru
- 200 Hour Yoga Therapy Certification: Varkala, India
From: Steamboat Springs, CO
Proud mama of Golden Retriever Jaxson
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Our Parent Coaching Program
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Colin Cass, BS
Parent Coach
Colin Cass, BS
Parent Coach
Colin Cass teaches our Parent Education Webinars, helps facilitate our Parent Workshop, and offers Parent Coaching. He is a Certified Parent Coach who has extensive experience working with families, parents, and college students who need extra support. Prior to becoming a Parent Coach, he worked at College Excel for seven years as a Behavioral Change Student Coach, Student Life Director, and Admissions Director. During this experience, Colin gained an in depth understanding of our program applying his expertise to help parents become powerful catalysts for positive change in their student’s life.
Colin’s approach as a Parent Coach is to provide thoughtful guidance and feedback (mixed with a bit of good humor to keep things in perspective) to help parents learn to constructively address challenges.
In his free time, Colin enjoys being outdoors, camping in his 1984 camper van, and running ultra marathons. He is the dog father to his 85 pound English Lab, Captain Gus.
To make an appointment with Colin to discuss his services or to begin coaching, please contact him or our Admissions Director, Jon Baker who can help parents navigate the process of signing up.
- [email protected]
- 541-610-8109
Partnering Mental Health Professionals
Partnering Gyms and Studios
Body Rock Training and Fitness
Personal Training & Fitness
Ally Galloway of BodyRock is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certified Personal Trainer, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and she holds a B.S. in Exercise Science. In addition to working with College Excel students at BodyRock, Ally is also an instructor in Central Oregon Community College’s Health and Human Performance Department. Click on the logo to the left to learn more about BodyRock!
Namaspa Yoga
Yoga Studio
Namaspa is a yoga and wellness community that inspires students to explore and dissolve their physical, mental, and energetic blocks. Through the application of balanced action (effort and ease), the yoga studio strives to create a new level of openness, freedom, and connection within each individual. Namaspa leads transformational practices of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, as well as additional yoga styles, wellness services, workshops, and trainings. Click on the logo to the left to learn more about Namaspa!
The Circuit Bouldering Gym
Indoor Rock Climbing Studio
The Circuit provides a world-class climbing experience in a cutting edge facility with high quality routes, comprehensive climbing programs, and modern fitness amenities. They value opportunities to get involved in the local community, promote life-long healthy habits, and cultivate a welcoming environment to build lasting friendships and climbing skills. Click on the logo to the left to learn more about the The Circuit!