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.
The College Excel 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
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Joy Flaherty, MSW
College Transfer Specialist/Marketing Assistant
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Summer Hornbeck, MAT
Program and Educational 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
Joy Flaherty, MSW
College Transfer Specialist/Marketing Assistant
Joy earned her Masters is Social Work from Loyola University and completed the Certified College Counselor program through UCLA. She began professionally working with young adults and their families in 2001 and during this time she found her true passion for helping young people discover their potential. Joy is also a Certified Life Coach and brings her years of experience to her position at College Excel. She has guided and coached students to explore their interests, abilities, achievements and challenges in order to make well informed decisions as they consider their future path forward.
Joy launched a college counseling business in 2007 (CollegeBoundGPS) and works with both US and international students. She has traveled extensively visiting college campuses, talking to admissions counselors, researching schools and programs to assure her students are making decisions based on current information. She also attends professional conferences and workshops to broaden her knowledge base and network with colleagues. She is available for College Excel students who would benefit from support as they undertake their transfer process to a new college or need guidance to find, apply and gain acceptance into a best fit college, while minimizing the pressure and stress associated with the process.
Summer Hornbeck, MAT
Program and Educational Director
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
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Sam Prososki, BS
Student Success Coach
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Genevieve Folkedahl, BS
Student Success Coach / Tutor
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Colin Cass, BS
Parent Coach
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Jonathon Oxarart, BS
Student Success Coach / Tutor
Sam Prososki, BS
Student Success Coach
Trained in active listening and cultural diverseness Sam appreciates each student’s need to be understood and respected as an individual. This combined with his experience working with young adults who need support, his commitment to a strength based approach and his positive and fun personality allow him to foster a strong and trusting connection with our students.
Sam’s passions include, backpacking, bouldering, music, dance, video games, cinematography, photography, biking, and endurance sports. He enjoys trying new things consistently and believes challenging himself to do hard things is what helps him grow as an individual. He is passionate about helping others along his way to helping himself grow his own character.
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Genevieve Folkedahl, BS
Student Success Coach / Tutor
Genevieve earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin and during that time spent a semester at the National University of Ireland. Her professional experience has taken her from marketing digital media for executive education programs at Ivy League universities to successfully building her own coaching business in which she worked with clients to transform their lives. In her role as a coach, she assisted clients to discover how to overcome barriers and make the shifts that would produce life changing results. Incorporating creative and experiential learning opportunities with time in nature and body awareness training Genevieve understands and respects that making sustainable life changes entails a holistic approach.
As an Student Success Coach, Genevieve assists students to create a solid foundation upon which to build their present and future selves while coaching each individual to recognize the importance of being brave, bold and carrying on regardless of obstacles encountered.
The passion and excitement she brings to her work empowers our students to start living their life in alignment with their aspirations from a place of authenticity.
Education: B.S., University of Wisconsin
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
Jonathon Oxarart, BS
Student Success Coach / Tutor
Jonathon earned his BS in Liberal Studies from Oregon State University and was honored as a Distinguished Student for Outstanding Contribution to his field. His background includes working as a teacher’s aide for his alma mater’s Writing Department where he learned the importance of differentiating his instruction based on learning styles and abilities. In this role he assisted instructors with lesson planning, facilitating class discussions and grading while supporting students and instructors both inside and outside of the classroom. Jonathon also has experience in behavioral health as a mentor, tutor and resident monitor for at risk youth where he helped facilitate group and individual counseling sessions utilizing his cognitive behavioral and crisis management skills to improve the lives and safety of his clients.
Education: B.S. Liberal Studies, Oregon State University
Certifications:
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Crisis Prevention Intervention Certificate
From: Bend, OR
- [email protected]
- 541-388-3043
Partnering Mental Health Professionals
Partnering Gyms and Studios
BOXiT
Personal Training & Fitness
BOXiT high-powered workouts help students feel their power. Our private classes through BOXiT Fitness combine bag work, strength training, and core conditioning challenging students both mentally and physically. Weekly workouts build cardiovascular fitness and strength and leaves students feeling STRONG and EMPOWERED.
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!