Meet Our Staff

Administrative Team

Justin Hougham, Ph.D.
Director
Phone: (608) 254-6461
FAX: (608) 253-7140
Email: justin.hougham@wisc.edu

Assistant Professor, University Wisconsin-Extension
637 Extension Building
Madison, WI 53706

Responsibilities:

Provide educational leadership by planning, implementing and evaluating culturally relevant educational programs
Provide statewide leadership for 4-H Youth Development environmental education programs
Develop new sources of funding to support the growth of environmental educational programs throughout the state
Develop collaborative programming relationships with University of Wisconsin-Extension personnel and statewide agencies and organizations with interests in environmental education
Regularly teach and deliver 4-H Youth Development educational programs through a wide variety of teaching methods at sites throughout Wisconsin
Use appropriate means to critically review and integrate related research into community-based educational programs
Regularly prepare educational materials, program evaluations and reports using appropriate technology
Reach and engage diverse audiences in ways that are inclusive and do not discriminate to ensure full access to programs, facilities and educational services
Provide managerial leadership and oversight for continuing operation, maintenance, and development of grounds, and facilities, and educational programming in close collaboration with the Assistant Director and Program Director
Develop and manage the Centers operational budget
Supervise full-time Center personnel
Serve as liaison to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Inc. and other entities raising funds on behalf of the Upham Woods 4-H Outdoor Learning Center
Foster positive relationships with the Upham Woods Advisory Committee and key stakeholders, including internal and external user groups, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, donors, volunteers, and local community organizations and residents
Develop and communicate policies regarding use of the Center in conjunction with the State 4-H Youth Development Program Director and the Upham Woods Advisory Committee

John Celley
Facility & Operations Director

Phone: (608) 254-6461
FAX: (608) 253-7140

Email: John.celley@wisc.edu

Responsibilities:

Provides leadership for all programs and activities conducted at Upham Woods
Provides leadership for Legacy Campaign efforts
Manages operation, maintenance and development of grounds and facilities
Supervises personnel and contractual services involved with operation of Upham Woods
Hire, train and supervise seasonal naturalists
Design, implement, and evaluate outpost education programming
Instruct environmental education classes as needed
Write grants to fund new environmental education initiatives

Chris Shrader
Interim Buildings and Grounds Supervisor
Phone: (608) 254-6461 ext. 203
FAX: (608) 253-7140

Responsibilities:

Provides safe learning environments for Upham Woods visitors
Maintains buildings for safe and efficient operation
Conducts preventative maintenance projects
Leads grounds maintenance projects including planting, mowing, and snow removal
Coordinates on site service learning projects
Keeps electrical, plumbing, heating, and septic systems maintained

Isabelle Herde
Program Director
Phone: (608) 254-6461
FAX: (608) 253-7140
Email: isabelle.herde@wisc.edu

Responsibilities:

Coordinate group programming at Upham Woods including serving as the primary communication contact/coordinator for client groups
Develop, coordinate, and provide overall leadership for community programming
Instruct environmental education classes
Hire, train and supervise seasonal staff
Develop and manage naturalist staff schedules
Develop, implement and evaluate environmental education programming
Assist in leading adventure education programming
Promote and coordinate outreach programs
Develop a system to regularly review, update, and improve the educational programs
Research and author grants to assist with program development