About the Staff




Director: Eric Russman

BA Colby College, 1991; MA Latin American Studies with concentration in Conservation and Development Studies, University of Texas at Austin, 2004.

Eric's interests, training, and work experience span the fields of education and conservation. As an educator, he has taught in an inner-city public school in Houston, private boarding schools in northern New England, the high plain desert of Idaho, and the small villages and rainforest landscapes of Costa Rica. After joining the Peace Corps in 1996, Eric first set foot on the Osa Peninsula as a Peace Corps volunteer to develop an Environmental Education outreach program for the area's National Park Service. After completing his two-year commitment, he directed the Cecropia Foundation, a local non-profit conservation organization dedicated to stopping indiscriminate logging and advocating for realistic production alternatives for local landholders. In 1999 Eric co-authored a proposal to establish an experiential education program on the Osa Peninsula for Swift River Academy, a private high school in Massachusetts. 400 students have participated since its inception. Eric served as the Swift River Osa program director from 2000-2002. Currently he teaches Spanish and coaches lacrosse and soccer at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire when he is not busy getting ready to lead student trips to the Osa Peninsula.



Lead Guide: Luis Quintero


Luis was born and raised on the Osa Peninsula. He has been guiding group and private tours on the Osa Peninsula since the early 1990s. His knowledge of the Osa's tropical forest, wildlife and the Gulf of Dulce are first rate. He is widely known for his unsurpassed ability to track and point out even the most elusive and cryptic animals. On one particular night hike in Corcovado National Park, Luis' guests had a rare close encounter, from less than fifty feet, of the majestic Jaguar. Visiting tourists and students especially enjoy his photogenic smile and upbeat personality.

From 1999-2006, he served as the lead guide for the Swift River Academy Osa Program. For Swift River, Luis was instrumental in setting safety guidelines and training new instructors and support staff. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, expert horse handler, and experienced boat captain.



Lead Instructor: Lisa Fountain


Lisa is originally from New York, but after graduating from high school she moved out west to Montana for her university studies in Sociology and Anthropology. Lisa's love of the outdoors, knowledge of Latin American culture, and commitment to teaching young adults has grown through years of work, travel, and study. Upon completing her four years in college Lisa joined the Peace Corps. Her assignment took her to Ecuador, where she focused her work on AIDS/HIV education, organic gardening, nutrition, family planning, and aquaculture. Before leaving Ecuador, Lisa worked as an assistant trainer for a new group of Peace Corps volunteers. After her Peace Corps assignment, Lisa moved to Costa Rica to work as assistant director and counselor for Rio Rapido, an at-risk program for teenagers focusing on wilderness therapy. Since 2006, Lisa created and has been teaching an environmental education program for a local bilingual school, been working as a home-school teacher, and has been teaching yoga at a local eco-lodge. Lisa has traveled extensively throughout South and Central America, Israel, Europe, and Nepal. She loves any sort of physical activity especially surfing, running, hiking, yoga, and horseback riding.

Apply now and receive "early admission discounts!"

Students to tackle Global Warming in 2007! Students applying to our 2007 Environmental Leadership programs will explore the effects of global warming on local industries - agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, fishing, and more - through field trips, work with local experts and hands-on research! More 2007 Student Institute information.


ALL EDUCATORS attending any E.E. Just Institute are eligible to receive graduate credit!

KUA is a 2006 recipient for the National Association of Independent School's “Leading Edge Award” for Environmental Sustainability! Read more!

Read today's top environmental stories!