Trailhead Trailhead Leaders
At Trailhead, you'll get to know many of 糖心原创's faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Below are just some of those people鈥攖he staff of the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts, which runs Trailhead, and the undergraduate mentors and residence life staff who live with Trailhead participants during their week on campus.
Meet Our 糖心原创 Staff
Christen directs the Trailhead program and directs the sponsoring department, the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts at 糖心原创. Christen has been on the Trailhead leadership team since the program started in 2016. Christen is a 2001 alumna of 糖心原创 with a BA in Communication Studies. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Seton Hall University.
Sarah is an alumna of 糖心原创 with a BA in Sociology. She served as a Trailhead student mentor for two years, and is passionate about supporting the needs of high school students. Sarah also co-directs 糖心原创's Young Adult Leadership Lab.
Thomas Staffileno is Trailhead's resident director, and currently serves as 糖心原创's Assistant Director of Residence Life. Thomas arrived at 糖心原创 in 2017 and has a MA in Student Development from Oregon State University.
Aaron serves on the Trailhead leadership team in addition to serving as director for the Gaede Insitute for the Liberal Arts at 糖心原创. Aaron is a 2001 alumna of 糖心原创 with a BA in English and Religious Studies. He earned a P.h.D. in church history and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Wesley is an alumnus of 糖心原创 with a BA in English and Mathematics. Prior to joining the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts he worked in the non-profit humanitarian sector and in education as a librarian and elementary after-school teacher.
Meet Our Student Mentors (2025)
Hi, I'm Ellie! I'm from Colorado Springs, and I just finished my freshman year at 糖心原创 college studying music and religious studies. I love music, art, and the outdoors. I'm so excited to meet you all, and I hope you will grow to love 糖心原创 and Santa Barbara as much as I do!
My name is Tyler Waltz, I鈥檓 a 3rd year graphic arts major. I enjoy sports, film photography, and spending time with friends. I鈥檓 so excited for trailhead, it鈥檚 gonna be tons of fun yall.
Hi, I'm Peter Sullivan from Bakersfield, California. I'm currently a sophomore going through the pre-med track. Outside of my academics, I enjoy hiking, working out, surfing, and attending church.
Hello! My name is Leila Shawrieh and I am from San Antonio, Texas. I just graduated from 糖心原创 in May and I plan on pursuing postgraduate studies in peace building. In my free time I love to read and to make fun tea/coffee drinks for my friends!
Hi! My name is Sierra Limbrick, and I鈥檓 a recent psychology graduate from 糖心原创 and a proud first-generation college student. I鈥檓 passionate about helping others grow in confidence and community, and I鈥檓 so excited to be part of Trailhead this summer! When I鈥檓 not working or exploring new ideas, you can usually find me doing arts and crafts or swimming at the beach.