ITI Team

Mark's ITI adventure began as a volunteer in June of 1991. He has been a facilitator at every ITI camp since. He accepted the position of ITI Program Director in September of 2000.
Prior to joining ITI full time, he was the Practice Administrator and Director of Substance Abuse Services for a private psychology practice in northern Indiana. Additional past positions include: neuropsychological psychometric technician, psychologist's assistant, substitute teacher, high school marching band drill designer/instructor, and K-mart associate assigned to announce "Blue Light Specials."

Mark has presented workshops, led trainings and facilitated large group sessions throughout Indiana and beyond. Topics have included stress management, creativity, temperament, teamwork, and community building.

In 1999, he was a featured panelist for The American Family: A Challenged Tradition, produced by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and broadcast on the Odyssey Channel. He has served on dozens of advisory boards and several Board of Directors, including the National Association of Teen Institutes. Mark is a long time advocate of using experiential learning methods to equip leaders and build teams.

Mark R. Kaser

ITI Program Director, Lead Facilitator

Allison has been involved with the Indiana Teen Institute program since 1996, when she attended camp as a participant from Michigan City High School. Allison has come back as an ITI facilitator every year since and has served in a number of capacities within the program, including roles as a contractual facilitator, member of the advisory team, performing arts team, and a workshop presenter. She is excited to be joining the ITI Team full-time as of March 2010.

Allison graduated from Indiana University in Indianapolis in May of 2003 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. She went on to complete a Master Degree in Social Work in 2007 at Portland State University in Portland, OR. Allison has worked as a caseworker for youth in out-of-home placements and a facilitator and Program Manager for Girls Inc. of NW Oregon. She is eager to further merge her passion for adventure-based learning and commitment to social justice work.

Allison loves traveling, the "Golden Girls," listening to NPR, using her label maker, and is looking forward to re-discovering her home state of Indiana.

Allison Rogers

ITI Hub Coordinator, Lead Facilitator

Julianne has been facilitating experiential learning programs since 1994. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis in December of 2000 with a double degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and the next day began working for ITI. Julianne has had a number of unique leadership opportunities, including an internship with the Indiana State Senate and serving as an ambassador, advocate and spokesperson as Miss Indiana,1998.

In addition to her experiences as a facilitator and presenter, she is an accomplished vocalist. Julianne has performed for audiences throughout the US and is now a featured vocalist and worship leader at Geist Christian Church.

Julianne is committed to helping individuals and groups develop their full potential.

Julianne M. Stewart
ITI Project Director, Financial Administrator

Julie resides in Ingalls, Indiana with her husband, Ryan, and sons, Alex and Parker. Her first experience with ITI was in 1993 as a high school participant. She returned as a youth facilitator in 1994 and has since continued to remain actively involved in the program. In 1996, She served as an Indiana delegate to the National Association of Teen Institutes (NATI) conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

After graduating from Wapahani HS in 1996, Julie traveled west to Purdue University where she studied Health Promotion. In 2001, she moved to South Carolina with her husband where she worked as a Preschool Teaching assistant and discovered her love of southern culture.

Julie returned to Indiana in 2004 and took on her most challenging role: mother. She looks forward to continuing to use her 15 years of facilitation experience to influence youth and adults to be positive and productive members of their schools and communities.

Julie Coon

ITI Leadership Camp Administration Team

Brian Sappenfield

Brian discovered ITI in 1987 as a high school participant at the Indiana Teen Institute summer conference. After four years serving as a member of the ITI youth staff, Brian has continued his involvement as an "adult" facilitator. He has served as a workshop presenter, Summer Conference Facilitator Coordinator, Advisory Team Chairperson and has traveled with ITI Adventure throughout Indiana and Michigan as a facilitator for youth, college and adult participants.

Brian is more commonly known as "Mr. Sappenfield." He is the principal of IPS 107 in Indianapolis. He received his teaching certification from Indiana University and his master degree in Educational Administration from Butler University.

Brian plans to continue his work with ITI for as long as he can. He currently holds the record for longest running facilitator with the program. He is approaching his 20th anniversary with ITI!

Hailing from the nether regions of Maine, Mike first became involved with ITI in 1997, as a sophomore in high school. Since then he has worked as a facilitator and trainer in a variety of settings from the classroom, to the challenge course, to the backcountry.

Mike has a strong passion for self discovery through challenging outdoor pursuits. Since graduating from the University of Maine in 2003 with a Bachelor's in Sociology he has worked primarily as a whitewater and sea kayak guide, a backcountry ski instructor, and high school nordic ski coach.

With plans to further his education, Mike's biggest dream is to start his own alternative high school nestled in the natural landscape of Maine.

For now Mike continues to travel wherever rivers and slopes will take him, from Central America, to the Smoky Mountains, and most recently the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Look for his pics posted on the ITI Photo Album, as he totes the ITI Chicken along everywhere he goes.

Mike Smith

Thomas Tendercrisp Coleman

Bruce Copple

Bruce began his involvement with ITI as an adult participant with the Greensburg High School Team. Soon thereafter he was recruited to join the ITI facilitation team and has remained involved as a facilitator since 1999.

Most days you'll find Lieutenant Copple serving the Greensburg, Indiana community. He is currently the School Resource Officer for Greensburg Community Schools and has been working actively with the school corporation for the past 10 years. He has even been a past sponsor of the high school's SADD program.

Although he love's facilitating and is committed to assisting ITI Adventure whenever his schedule allows, Bruce's first priority is his wife Paula and his son, Benjamin.

Bruce is our team's constant reminder that it is never too late to unleash your inner-facilitator!

"The only people that mind getting wet are the ones that are dry." —Karl Rohnke

Thomas was first introduced to ITI in the summer of 2005, as an adult participant with the Brookside Community Youth Program. After serving a few years as an adult participant, he was invited to join the ITI facilitator team. Thomas enjoys sharing his passion for art with ITI participants and encouraging them to share their artistic expression.
Thomas was formerly the Youth Coordinator for the Brookside Community Youth Program, the same youth program that help mold him into the gentleman he is today. He has participated as a counselor in a variety of summer conferences, including Christian Outdoor Ministries, YMCA Blueridge and his favorite, Indiana Teen Institute.
He currently resides in Warren Park, Indianapolis where he works as an Inbound Specialist (a fancy way of saying a stower). He is also busy as the owner of his new small business. When Thomas has free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing video games, and continuing his pursuit of happiness. Thomas believes, “ITI is the best invention since pancakes, every teen should attend."

Justin enjoyed his participant year at ITI in the summer of 2001 and began working as a member of the facilitation team the following summer. He has remained involved with the program ever since.

Justin was formally involved in Whiteland High School's Peer Helper program. He organized and participated in many advocacy campaigns, school functions, and volunteered as a mentor for local elementary school students. He was also involved in many leadership experiences including serving as a volunteer board member to the American Red Cross of Johnson County, and a 2002 Hoosier Boy's State attendee.

In his spare time, Justin enjoys (and admits of his own freewill) spending time with his family, mowing the lawn, and feeling the adrenaline rush from roller-coasters and other thrill rides.

Justin Reuter

"A ship is safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are built for."