OAP Staff

Hatch is the Outdoor Adventure Program Director and an Instructor of Health and Human Performance for Eastern Oregon University. This dream job continues Michael’s lifelong passion of enveloping himself in everything outdoors. A native of Boise, Idaho, Hatch received a B.S. degree in Resource Conservation/Wilderness Studies from the University of Montana and his M.S. in Education from Eastern Oregon University.

For over a decade Hatch worked as a mountain guide, backcountry ski guide, and helped manage Forest Service recreation programs in both Idaho and Oregon. Hatch’s favorite outdoor medium and subject to teach is snow. Through the years he has taught avalanche courses to hundreds of recreationists, college students, and EMS personnel as an American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 and Level 2 Course Leader and professional member of the American Avalanche Association (AAA). He is a board member and forecaster for the Wallowa Avalanche Center (WAC). Currently, Michael has certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, AIARE Level 3, Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT1), and is a Leave No Trace (LNT) Master Educator.

Hatch is a steadfast believer in the primacy of local landscapes and the outdoors as catalysts for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. He has explored many landscapes around the world such as Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, Europe, Alaska, and Central America. He is an avid biker, mountaineer, climber, hiker, skier, and whitewater enthusiast. He loves introducing people to new outdoor experiences and giving them the skills and confidence to face and overcome challenges. Fun Fact: Hatch had double hernia surgery, so he doesn’t lift as many heavy things nowadays, but he can still shake a leg or two.

Natanya grew up in Juneau, Alaska and is majoring in Communications with a minor in Psychology and Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. Some of her hobbies include hammocking, camping, hiking, and finding hidden spots like caves and waterfalls off trails. She also play lacrosse for EOU. A fun little fact about Natanya is she worked on top of a glacier for three summers for a helicopter tour operation.

Red is a senior at Eastern Oregon University studying business administration and outdoor leadership. They are from Pearland, TX and spend most of their time outside at parks. They prefer a slow pace trail over summiting any day. Here’s to another year of adventures!

Nora is a senior at EOU majoring in nursing, and a member of EOU’s track and field team. She is from Vancouver, Washington, where she enjoys skiing at Mount Hood, mountain biking, running, and working at a community health center. A fun fact about Nora is that she loves cats.

Megan is from Moscow, Idaho, and has been living in La Grande for the past two years. This will be her third year at EOU and first year as an OHSU La Grande nursing student. Megan is pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and my Bachelor of Science in Human, Health, and Performance with a concentration in Community Health. She absolutely love spending any free moment in the great outdoors. Megan loves rock-climbing, paddle-boarding, snow and water skiing, hiking, hunting, and fishing! Fun fact about Megan is that she was born with six wisdom teeth!

Simon is a junior in the English/Writing program. He spends his weekdays reading, writing and climbing, and his weekends watching soccer and going adventuring, looking for cool places to fish, ski, bike and climb. Simon is currently the president of the Ski & Snowboard Club and the Climbing Club. He wants to encourage everyone to join. Simon has spent most of his life in Eastern Oregon, and always looks forward to exploring more of our mountains! Fun fact: Simon drives a forty-year-old pickup.