Curriculum Vitae

(through Spring 2013)

Darren Kizer, EdD

The following curriculum vitae reflects academic, nonprofit, leadership, and educational work completed through Spring 2013. It is presented here as an archival record of earlier professional and educational activities related to volunteer engagement, organizational leadership, community development, and training. This material is preserved as part of the broader Volunteer Development Archive and reflects work developed across camps, churches, nonprofit organizations, and educational settings.

Education

Nova Southeastern University — Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ed.D. Organizational Leadership-  2011

Dissertation:  Impact of Best Practices Management on Volunteer Satisfaction

Central Michigan University — Mount Pleasant, Michigan

M.A. Administration — Recreation & Park Administration-  1993

Clarks Summit University — Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

B.S. Bible — Pastoral Ministry-  1990

Teaching Experience

Clarks Summit University — Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Adjunct Instructor — Specialized Ministry Major- 2000–2003

Co-developed syllabi, course structure, and instructional delivery for undergraduate ministry and leadership courses in both onsite and offsite environments.

Courses included:

  • Counseling in Active Learning Environments

  • Leading in Active Learning Environments

  • Organizations as Learning Communities

  • Strategic Thinking for Leaders

  • Developing Dynamic Teams

  • Governance and Administration of Non-Profit Organizations

  • Financial Management of Non-Profit Organizations

  • Principles of Risk Management for Non-Profit Organizations

  • Outdoor Pursuits: Rock Climbing

  • Outdoor Pursuits: Paddling

  • Outdoor Living Skills

Davis College — Johnson City, New York

Adjunct Instructor — Youth Ministry Major- 2001–2003

Co-developed curriculum and instructional experiences for ministry and experiential learning environments.

Courses included:

  • Camping & Recreation as Ministry

  • Counseling in Active Learning Environments

  • Wilderness Learning as Ministry

  • Wilderness Ministry Leadership

Central Michigan University — Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Adjunct Instructor — Recreation & Park Administration- 2001–2003

Developed and facilitated leadership-oriented experiential education coursework in offsite learning environments.

Course taught:

  • Wilderness Experience for Leadership Development

Leadership & Organizational Experience

Parker Hill Community Church — Scranton, Pennsylvania

Associate Pastor / Leader of Family Ministries Division-  2003–April 2014

Provided strategic leadership for family ministry initiatives within a multisite church environment.

*This archival summary reflects selected organizational, educational, and volunteer development work completed through Spring 2013.

Responsibilities included:

  • Leadership team participation and organizational strategy

  • Contribution to multisite development initiatives and construction projects

  • Preaching, teaching, volunteer development, organizational leadership, and pastoral support within a multisite church environment

  • Oversight of preschool through high school ministry systems

  • Recruitment and development of approximately 250 volunteers

  • Development of volunteer training systems and engagement practices

  • Collaboration with nonprofit and community organizations including Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, Leadership Network, and ReThink Group

Pilgrimage Educational Resources — Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Director / Curriculum Designer- 1997–2003

Developed curriculum and instructional experiences focused on organizational leadership, experiential education, and active learning environments.

Responsibilities included:

  • Undergraduate and graduate instruction

  • Wilderness-based educational programming

  • Leadership development curriculum

  • Organizational consulting for churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations

  • Outdoor program management and instructional design

Raven Works, Inc. — Factoryville, Pennsylvania

Co-Owner / Director of Operations- 2000–2004

Managed operational development, manufacturing coordination, and product delivery for a North American canoe and kayak company.

Slippery Rock Baptist Camp — Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Executive Director- 1992–1997

Directed camp operations, leadership development initiatives, staffing, programming, and strategic planning efforts.

Conferences, Workshops & Grants

Leadership Network — Dallas, Texas

Team Leader — Radical Future Innovation Lab: Family Ministries- 2011

Orange Conference — Atlanta, Georgia

Workshop Speaker

  • “Thinking Intern” (2010)

  • “Getting Volunteers Up to Speed” (2010)

  • “Family Ministry Around the Table” (2009)

  • “Orangeology: Family Production” (2008)

Twin Lakes Camps — Indiana

Instructional Designer — Lilly Foundation Grant (“Project Mobilize”)- 2001

Note: Portions of this archival site, including summaries and organizational formatting, have been edited with the assistance of contemporary language tools to improve readability and structure. All underlying experiences, research, and professional work reflected in this archive originate from earlier academic, nonprofit, and collaborative efforts.