East Campus Continues to Shape Careers and Lives
East Campus is a transformational space for many Springfield College students. Listen to Therapeutic Recreation Professor Rachel Keyworth '11, G'14, as she describes how her own experiences at East Campus shaped her career as a Recreational Therapist.
East Campus is a transformational space for many Springfield College students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. The following stories describe how East Campus has helped shape careers and lives in a positive way using the core values of the College's outdoor learning laboratory as the focus.
Springfield College faculty emeritus Bob Accorsi, G’80, has an authentic love and appreciation for East Campus that started more than 40 years ago. After earning his master’s degree in the spring of 1980 from the College, he took advantage of an opportunity to be a shuttle driver for Outdoor Pursuits, also known historically as Freshman Camp. Accorsi’s experiences at East Campus have included spending time as Camp Massasoit director, Outdoor Pursuits faculty-leader, and overall ambassador for the College’s outdoor learning laboratory.
Springfield College alumna Keeley Joyal '25 is enjoying life as an Outdoor Instructor at the Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY. Joyal recently graduated from the College after earning a bachelor's degree as a Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy major. She also minored in Art Therapy and Community Arts, while developing her leadership skills as a Pre-Camp leader, Leadership Training Conference (LTC) participant and facilitator and Pride Cares participant.
Springfield College alumni working as high school physical educators, health educators, and school counselors, bring their students to East Campus to take part in the annual Youth in Motion Program during the fall semester. Eleven years ago, Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Health Education Michelle Moosbrugger '00, PhD'06, was at the forefront of starting the Youth in Motion program at East Campus. Moosbrugger now teams with Associate Professor of Physical Education and Health Education Steven W. Groccia '00, PhD'13, in leading the efforts to solidify the program’s growth.
Springfield College Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Ben Taylor '99, G'16, recently took some time to update our campus community describing how East Campus plays such an important role in enhancing the Springfield College experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.
Springfield College alumna Dina DeMico ’04, G’08, is a proud Camp Massasoit parent. She recently had the opportunity to enjoy a very special moment with her daughter, Sage, to conclude this year’s camp experience. Sage earned the prestigious Camp Massasoit Humanics Award for her positive attitude and willingness to help anyone who needed it. This honor was just another example of why Springfield College and Camp Massasoit are special to the DeMico family.
For Springfield College Department of Exercise Science faculty members Adam Feit '06, PhD'20, and Mary Kate Feit, G'09, PhD'20, they share a special passion for the College. Springfield College is where they met, and as they continue their life together with their two children Cody and Macy, the College continues to be at the root of some magical memories together. The Feit family enjoys the magic of Camp Massasoit and its unique blend of outdoor adventure, personal growth, and community spirit.
Alumnus Ryan Yelle ’20, G’22, recently started his dream job as a medical oncology physician assistant at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. For Yelle, this exciting new chapter of his professional career is rooted in the well-rounded education he received at Springfield College.
As a proud graduate of the esteemed Springfield College Physician Assistant Studies program, Yelle has combined a deep passion for helping others, with a drive to enhance his own leadership abilities. His current career path showcases the valued education he received as a PA student, while also actively engaging in the diverse extracurricular opportunities offered at East Campus.
For Springfield College alumna Cara Loux ’07, she continues to live a balanced life filled with creativity and innovation, while staying committed to showcasing the strong impact our alumni network can have on current students. Her devotion to connecting with others was always on display during her 20-year involvement with Outdoor Pursuits at East Campus.
At a young age, Springfield College alumnus Michael L. Phelan, G'96, was able to experience the joys of summer camp through the generosity and assistance of others. As a result, Michael and his wife, Melissa, G’00, made a commitment to pay it forward, and established the Camp Massasoit Campership Fund as a way to ensure that all kids have the chance to enjoy their summer months in a camp setting at East Campus.
“Giving back to the College and East Campus was an easy decision for Melissa and I because we really appreciate the positive impact camp can have on individuals,” explained Phelan.
Since 2008, Springfield College alumna Caitlyn Malone, G'13, has called East Campus home while working at Camp Massasoit during the summer months. With the help of a childhood friend, Malone found East Campus as a sophomore in college when she started working as a camp counselor. Malone had aspirations of having a career in education, and now 16 years later, she continues to flourish in her role as the head counselor for Camp Massasoit, while also enjoying success as a science teacher at North Brookfield Jr/Sr High School in North Brookfield, Mass.
Springfield College alumnus Daniel Jaskot ’02 concluded his first-year on campus in the spring of 1999, preparing for Outdoor Pursuits (previously known as Freshman Camp). It was this experience that helped him discover his passion for outdoor adventure education.
Jaskot is the current president of Empower Leadership, a company that represents a collection of leadership experts who share a passion for adventure and helping others.
“Outdoor Pursuits was my introduction to East Campus, and my discovery of loving outdoor adventure education,” explained Jaskot.
Since graduating from Springfield College, alumna Amanda Hasenzahl '13, has found personal and professional success that can be directly attributed to the educational opportunities she experienced at East Campus as a student.
“I was fortunate during my time at Springfield College to experience East Campus on many different levels, including being a student participant in orientation programs, serving as a student staff at Outdoor Pursuits, leading groups as a ropes course facilitator, taking part in internship opportunities, and working as a Camp Massasoit counselor. All of these experiences taught me life lessons that helped me find my way,” explained Hasenzahl.
Growing up in Waterbury, Conn., alumna Kelsey Dunn ’12, G’14, didn’t have many experiences with outdoor adventures, but that all changed in the fall of 2008 when she arrived on Alden Street. During her time at Springfield College, Dunn fell in love with East Campus, a setting that helped her develop the necessary skills for a successful career teaching outdoor education.
“Springfield College and East Campus were so influential in preparing me for what I am doing now in Colorado,” described Dunn. “At the Aspen Country Day School, I have the opportunity to lead the kids on camping trips, ski trips, take part in rock climbing, mountain biking, and canoeing, and it’s a direct result of everything I learned at East Campus. Whether it was participating in Outdoor Pursuits, or working at Camp Massasoit, it’s all of those educational experiences I was able to be a part of at East Campus that prepared me for what I am doing today.”
Springfield College alumna Dolores A. Christensen, PsyD'17, returned to campus as the keynote speaker at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Northeast Regional Conference.
As part of Christensen’s address, she highlighted how the College played such an important role in her development as a professional, especially the knowledge she gained from her experiences taking classes and working at East Campus.
“Nothing I have today is even possible without my time at Springfield College,” expressed Christensen. “Working at East Campus is certainly one of the most influential things, and the lessons I learned show up in my career on a daily basis.”
Once a year, the student-led Leadership Training Conference (LTC) hosts a retreat that is attended by students who are selected anonymously. The LTC executive-board took advantage of the facilities and environment that Springfield College East Campus provides, to successfully start the retreat for more than 50 participants.
The amenities of East Campus always play an important role with the development of students who are fortunate to be part of LTC. Leading up to the retreat itself, there is a day set aside for the participants to gather at East Campus.
One of the timeless traditions at Springfield College is Pre-Camp, a student-run program for first-year Springfield College students, designed to help them get a head start on transitioning into their college experiences. What assists Pre-Camp in allowing first-year students to feel comfortable on Alden Street is the peaceful setting of East Campus.
"I think that as a pre-camp leader, you do have an impact in some type of way no matter what, because you help someone start their college journey at Springfield College, and that is special," explained Pre-Camp leader Kevin Giulini, a member of the class of 2024. "Especially being out at East Campus and being exposed to that facility so early on. I was able to make a really special connection with East Campus and to this day as a senior, it is where my home is on this campus."
