W.I.L.D. Semester
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W.I.L.D. Semester Faculty

David Starbuck

Director of W.I.L.D. Semester
Faculty, Recreation & Leisure Studies

B.S. Bryan College
M.Div. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D. ABD University of New Hampshire

David has a wealth of student development, outdoor education, and higher education teaching experience. He served as a resident director at Gordon College for two years and as the Assistant Director of the A. J. Scholar Leadership Development Program for three years.  Over the past eight years he has led adventure trips in California, Colorado, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee, and Morocco. David has taught over fifteen undergraduate courses in outdoor education and four masters-level philosophy of education courses.

He is certified as a Project Adventure Trainer, Wilderness Education Association Instructor, Leave No Trace Trainer, and WMA Wilderness First Responder. He is currently working to complete his doctoral dissertation on the value of student leadership within outdoor orientation programs.

David is married to his wonderfully adventurous wife Tara. They have a 3-year-old named Anna and a baby boy named Jackson. Both David and Tara are passionate about mentoring college students and equipping them for a life of leadership and ministry.
 


Val Gin

Department Chair
Recreation & Leisure Studies

B.S. Greenville College
M.S. Eastern Illinois University
Ed.D. Boston University

After coaching collegiate volleyball and softball for thirteen years, Dr. Gin continues her love and interest in sport through researching and writing in sport ethics. She enjoys researching with students and creating engaging interactive class projects. Dr. Gin is an active member of the International Sport Coalition and a lecturer at the International Sport Leadership Schools in Stellenbosch South Africa and Chennai India. She, along with Recreation and Leisure Studies alumni, are contributors to www.wired4sport.com, a website community promoting the value of, integrity in, and love of sport. Dr. Gin has played an integral role in the development and success of the W.I.L.D. Semester.  She posesses the unique ability to engage and inspire students while utilizing highly effective experiential pedagogy in the classroom.


Nate Hausman

Adirondack Expeditions Director
Faculty, Recreation & Leisure Studies

B.A. Gordon College
M.A. Wheaton College
Camp Ministry and Leadership Certificate

Nate has ten years of experience in the wilderness education field and has been involved with the W.I.L.D. Semester for the last 5 years. He looks forward to spending each summer in the Adirondack Mountains of New York working with the La Vida staff and his black lab, Colden. He is certified as a Wilderness Education Association National Standards Program Certifying Instructor, Leave No Trace Master Educator and WMA Wilderness First Responder.