Meet the Staff

The 2025 Gonzaga Explore Staff

Mentors

Our Mentors are GU students who love God and the outdoors, and through servant-leadership, they foster spiritual companionship in the teams of Explorers

Philip Cecil

Hi everyone! My name is Phil, and I'm a rising junior here at GU studying philosophy and religious studies. Some of my favorite activities are reading, playing board games and being outdoors. My best fun fact is that my family has two sets of twins. Can't wait to meet you all!


Julia Schlecht Patiño

My name is Julia, and I'm a sophomore this fall studying Broadcasting and Religious Studies. I am so excited to be on Explore with you all as I’ve been wanting to get into hiking and outdoor activities more! I love to draw, sing, laugh, and genuinely be around people! My best fun fact is that I’m the oldest of six kids!


Caroline Triplett

My name is Caroline, and I am a senior studying civil engineering. I love playing pick-up basketball and volleyball games as well as reading and playing piano. My fun fact is I have never had a bloody nose in my life! I am very excited to Explore with y'all!


Nick Watson

My name is John (I go by Nick), and I am an incoming senior studying Philosophy, Math, and minoring in music. I love playing Ed Sheeran songs on guitar, drawing nature and friends, and singing with choirs on campus. Fun fact: I have played baseball with oranges.


 

Chaplain

Our Chaplain's role is to support the Mentors through prayer, spiritual accompaniment, and training in pastoral and ministerial engagement

Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon and graduated from Gonzaga University with degrees in theater and English. After some years working and starving as an actor in New York and Seattle, I joined the Jesuits. What I love: books with maps in the front cover, gardening, meditation, nature, the Spokane River, phone free conversation, and really black coffee.

 

Weaver

Our Weaver is the Lead Instructor and host who threads together the themes of Explore while narrating the shared story we experience

Krista Frankovic

My name is Krista, and I'm the Campus Ministry Director and a Chemistry teacher at Gonzaga Prep High School (my alma mater) just up the road from GU. After 17 years away, I'm back in Spokane and am finding a new love of outdoor recreation - paddleboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, floating & rafting. This is my 3rd year with Gonzaga Explore, and I'm so excited to walk alongside all of you on this fantastic journey!

 

Navigator

As the Program Lead, our Navigator is responsible for planning, coordination, and communication with staff and partners of Gonzaga Explore

Rachel Muhr

Hi! My name is Rachel, and I am a graduate of GU! I studied English and Secondary Education with a minor in Spanish. I am from Littleton, CO, and some of my favorite outdoor activities include hiking and camping in the Rockies. A fun fact about me is that I have been to all 50 states. My family takes a lot of road trips to visit my extended family in Canada or travel to race at different racetracks throughout the States.

 

Director

Our Program Director is responsible for visioneering, supporting the staff, and charting out the physical and spiritual landscapes of Explore

Ben Chu

Hello! I was born in San Diego and spent my nomadic years around the Northwest (OR, AK, ID, WA) before calling Spokane home with my wife and three kids. I work in ecological spirituality at Gonzaga University, and I love making coffee and food (especially Korean food) for others.