Travis Harding, Director of Work Programs & Co-Founder

Travis is a native of northeast Ohio with an affinity for the natural world. He graduated from the University of Mount Union with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. He has worked on the touring production of Lion King and for other professional theatres in New Orleans, Chicago, and Columbus. In 2007, Travis put his technical and performance skills to work in conservation education at Nature’s Classroom, and moved on to Camp Joy in 2009 to continue his efforts in helping students understand the importance and impact of their everyday choices. In 2013, he joined the Camp Joy maintenance team where he learned large scale composting practices, heavy machinery maintenance, creative problem solving, and campus-scale facility management. In 2014, he took the position of Fine Arts Facility Manager at his alma mater where he met his eventual partner in life and business, Lindsey. In his role at Mount Union, he coordinated student work teams to run box office, front of house, lighting, and sound for events in the newly constructed Giese Center for the Performing Arts. “While I enjoyed the challenge of being the facility’s inaugural manager, creating procedures from scratch and honing my technical skills on the building’s state-of-the-art systems, I am excited to turn my full-time attention to Tenderfoot’s mission.”

“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford

Dr. Lindsey Rudibaugh, Director of Sustainability Education & Co-Founder

Tenderfoot is the convergence of Lindsey’s values, education, and experiences. A first-generation student from Ohio Appalachia, she earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish and served as a Spanish teacher at Beaver Local and Strasburg High Schools, both located in Appalachian counties of Ohio. She completed her Masters in Higher Education Administration at the University of Akron in 2010 and began working at the University of Mount Union’s Center for Global Education. In this position, she traveled extensively to recruit international students and to secure opportunities for domestic students to study abroad. Through time spent in the global south, Lindsey developed a strong commitment to social and environmental justice. Her interest in starting this educational non-profit drove her to pursue a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education at Prescott College and to seek more well-rounded experience in university administration. Since 2010, she has worked in diverse areas of higher education including international student services, admission, academic advising, study abroad advising, residence life, student activities, student conduct, leadership programming, classroom teaching, and experiential learning.  She is currently the Executive Director of Experiential Learning at Ohio University.

Lauren Bissell, Board Member

Lauren graduated from the University of Mount Union in May of 2018 as a business and human resource management double major with entrepreneurship and leadership minors. Lauren is passionate about sustainability and green living. She believes we should each do what we can to live greener lives and contribute to improvement of our world and lives. Lauren first met Lindsey through Residence Life at Mount Union, and heard about the early plans for Tenderfoot. After that she took a couple classes with Lindsey and “I was quickly hooked on the lifestyle and Tenderfoot idea.” One of the things Lauren enjoys most is spending time outdoors. She loves hiking and simply soaking up the sunshine. In her spare time she enjoys photographing nature, reading, and crafting. Lauren is from the small town of Mantua, OH and enjoys the small town lifestyle. After graduation, she moved back closer to home, got married, and has begun her career at Jo-Ann Fabric’s corporate office.

“What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

– Jane Goodall

Dr. Lori Kumler, Board Member

An Ohio native, Lori has been enjoying both the outdoors and education her entire life. Spending time on her family farm growing up, Lori showed Angus cattle and entered pie making and sewing competitions at the state and county fairs. After college, Lori worked as a high school social studies teacher for 11 years, including two years in Brazil, before returning to graduate school for a Ph.D.. Lori continues to teach today at the college level in the Departments of Political Science & International Studies and Environmental Science at the University of Mount Union. She and her husband enjoy many other outdoor pursuits along with their two children, such as backpacking, hiking, maple syrup making, and food gardening.

Priscilla Roggenkamp, Board Member

Born in Bangor, Maine, Priscilla has lived in Maine, Ohio, Virginia and Arkansas. She has resided in Alliance, Ohio since 1990, teaching and making art. She studied art at Kent State University , University of Arkansas, and Heidelberg College. She is a working artist and a member of the band Rock Salt and Nails. Learn more about her art and music at www.studio-twofourteen.com and www.rsn-band.com.  Priscilla recently retired from teaching at Ashland University. She has taught at various other institutions including the University of Mount Union, The College of Wooster, and Canton Country Day School.