Our Experts
THE ROAD SCHOLAR FACULTY: LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS
If we’re lucky, we can all remember at least one from our school days. The teacher who made learning a sport. The teacher who opened a new door on the world. The teacher who introduced us to a passionate interest we never saw coming. That’s how we choose the members of our Road Scholar faculty—for the depth of their knowledge about a destination or subject and for their ability to captivate us while communicating that knowledge.
They're scholars & historians
MEET BLY STRAUBE
Bly Straube is a renowned historical archeologist and scholar who was a member of the team of archaeologists who found the remains of James Fort, the site of America's 1607 birthplace. The co-founder of the James River Institute for Archeology, Straube also works at Historic Jamestowne and has recorded programs for the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and more. She earned a Ph.D. in Archaeology and Ancient History.
“Bly Straube was outstanding. Her presentation made the the museum come alive and the entire Jamestowne visits meaningful.”
36 Years as a professional archaeologist 86 Presentations given to Road Scholars
They lived the history
MEET DIANNE HARRIS
A local of Selma, Alabama, Dianne Harris became an activist in the Civil Rights Movement when she was 15 years old. She and her younger brother took part in several marches, including the march that would become known as "Bloody Sunday." She has received the Congressional Foot Soldier Medal and Certificate, as well as numerous other medals and awards for her ongoing fight for racial equality. She is an avid public speaker and is often interviewed by newspapers, magazines and other media outlets for her unending vigil for justice. She shares her story with participants on The Civil Rights Movement: Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham.
“This was a powerful and enlightening trip. Dianne (our local guide in Selma) had walked as a young girl in the crowd on Bloody Sunday. Her stories were fascinating.”
57 Years as a civil rights activist 60 Presentations to Road Scholars
He wrote the book
MEET DR. SPENCER JONES
Dr. Spencer Jones is an award-winning historian and author. He is Senior Lecturer in Armed Forces and War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton and serves as the Regimental Historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He is the author of several books including “From Boer War to World War: Tactical Reform of the British Army 1902-1914” and “At All Costs: The British Army on the Western Front 1916.”
“Dr. Jones can explain any subject and bring it to life. Not only is he inspiring others to learn about history but he's changing the way we look at it.”
5 Books written and edited 25 Presentations to Road Scholars See Dr. Jones' upcoming programs“This was the most authentic cultural experience I've ever had in my 20 years of world travel.”
— Alice, Seattle WA —
Featured faculty
Each and every one of our faculty experts has been carefully selected for the Road Scholar learning adventure they lead. A glance at their bios, and you will understand why.
Andrée Girard has been an active figure on the arts scene in Québec and in Canada for over 25 years.
She worked as a broadcaster for CBC radio and television before becoming programming director for CBC French radio’s Chaîne culturelle for several years. She was also a founding member and director of the Conseil québécois de la musique. Over the course of her career, she has been associated with the creation of the Opus Prize, as well as the development of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.
Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, is a Santa Fe-based chef focused on Native American foods.
She is also a Native American food historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer and James Beard Award-winning author. She is a featured instructor of the Southwest Indian Nations at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, and is chef and owner — along with Native Chef Walter Whitewater of the Diné Nation — of Red Mesa Cuisine.
Dianne Harris has received the Congressional Foot Soldier Medal and Certificate, as well as numerous other medals and awards for her ongoing fight for racial equality.
She is an avid public speaker, appearing on NBC Today in 2015 and is often interviewed by newspapers, magazines and other media outlets for her unending vigil for justice. She remembers her involvement in the movement like it was yesterday. She particularly remembers listening to Martin Luther King and the events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama.
Giles Ramsay is an independent theater director and producer who specializes in creating new work with artists in developing countries.
He is the founding director of the charity Developing Artists, a fellow of St. Chad’s College, Durham University. and course leader in theater at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has devised and instructed on Road Scholar programs since the early 1990s and has run theater projects in countries ranging from Kosovo to Zimbabwe.
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver.
As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.
Johann Röscher was born in South Africa and grew up on State Forestry stations along the coastal belt of the Cape Province.
He joined the military and studied at the North West University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. After traveling through the Middle East and Eastern Europe, he returned to South Africa to work as a socio-political researcher. Disillusioned with city life, Johann decided to change careers and lead safaris. He’s been taking groups on safaris in Kalahari and Okavango Delta for 17 years, and he’s never been more content with his choice to move to that beautiful and remote region.
Stephen Yellowhawk was born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
He was first inspired to dance by his uncle, Jim Yellowhawk, and has been sharing his talents for traditional dance since he was 14 years old. He is actively pursuing a master’s degree in leadership and management in becoming a leader in Indian education. He is currently employed at the Okiciyapi Wellness Center as a health technician to Native American diabetic patients and serves as the board president for the Black Hills Powwow Association.