Emily Quigley Appointed New Director of Harvard First-Year Outdoor Program

Emily S. Quigley will serve as the new director of Harvard’s First-Year Outdoor Program, as well as the outdoor and recreation coordinator at the Dean of Students Office, Kate Colleran — the assistant dean of student engagement and leadership — announced Wednesday.

“We look forward to the knowledge and enthusiasm she will be bringing with her,” Colleran wrote in an email to colleagues Wednesday informing them of the new hire. In that email she said Quigley’s role will include managing the Quad Recreational Athletic Center.

In her email, Colleran highlighted Quigley’s experience in outdoor education. Quigley worked for the Tufts Wilderness Orientation program from 2012 to 2018 and currently coordinates programs for the National Outdoor Leadership School in the Custom Education department.

“Emily brings strong experience in outdoor orientation programs,” Colleran wrote. “During the interview process she impressed with her student-centered approach to leadership and her commitment to making the outdoors a more inclusive space.”

Paul R. “Coz” Teplitz ’03-’09, who oversaw FOP and became director of the College’s Experiential Learning Center in 2017, will be leaving Harvard on June 30 with the Center’s elimination.

In an email to FOP leaders and trainees March 28, Teplitz announced that the DSO would not be moving forward with the Center, and solicited input in selecting a new director for FOP.

The email stated the three finalists for the position — who were unnamed — would participate in interviews with administrators, the FOP Steering Committee, and the Director Search Advisory Committee, as well as informal lunches with FOP leaders and trainees.

“As many of you know, FOP is currently searching for a new director. We have gotten to the stage in the process when we need your input!” Teplitz wrote in the email. “Based on the effort of [FOP’s steering committee] so far and the quality of the applicants, I'm confident FOP will be in good hands.”

Colleran’s email Wednesday also addressed Teplitz’s upcoming departure, and said that the DSO will recognize his commitment to FOP in a “farewell celebration” next month.

“With Emily’s arrival comes the departure of our veteran FOP Director and Director of Outdoor and Experiential Education, Coz Teplitz,” she wrote. “Coz has been dedicated to his work with FOP since he started in 2010, promoting outdoor enthusiasm in students and being a warm welcome to our new students.”

Quigley will take over the role July 1.

Correction: May 14, 2019

A previous version of this article misstated Kate Colleran's title.

—Staff writer Sanjana L. Narayanan can be reached at sanjana.narayanan@thecrimson.com.