ROCKLAND — Trekkers has promoted longtime staff member TJ Morris to Program Director, effective immediately. Morris steps into the role after serving as Principal Program Manager for the youth development organization, which uses long-term mentoring and experiential learning to support young people, according to Trekkers, in a news release.

"Research shows Trekkers programs increase skills in resilience, relationship-building, and engagement in learning," said Trekkers.

Morris succeeds Diane Sternberg, who stepped down earlier this year after four years at Trekkers as Training Director and then Program Director. In her new role, Morris will lead Trekkers’ program staff, including Mitchell DelFrate, Ryker Weaver, and a new program manager to be named, as well as the organization’s AmeriCorps members. Trekkers currently hosts one AmeriCorps position, with Moe Mitchell serving in that role.

Morris brings seven years of hands-on program leadership experience to the position, along with deep expertise in risk management and logistics. She has also played a key role in supervising and supporting AmeriCorps members at Trekkers. Morris looks forward to drawing on these experiences as she guides program staff through their own leadership journeys.

“I’ve been part of so many incredible teams over the years,” said Morris. “It was truly the honor of a lifetime to spend six years working with Teams Squaliform and Crag as their leader.”

In addition to overseeing Trekkers’ core programming, Morris will lead the continued collaboration with Oceanside High School’s Alternative Education NOVA programs for the 2026–2027 school year. She will also continue overseeing the Student Leadership and Urban Trekkers Cultural Exchange program and will join former Trekkers staff as a trainer with the Rural Youth Institute.

Executive Director Stephanie Welch welcomed the promotion.

“We are incredibly lucky to have TJ,” said Welch. “Her experience, commitment, and enthusiasm for this work make her the ideal person for this role. I’m excited to see how she helps Trekkers continue to evolve and meet the needs of young people.”

Looking ahead, Morris hopes to expand Trekkers’ reach while staying true to its relationship-centered mission. “I hope to facilitate a moment of expansion, one that means Trekkers can provide long term mentoring relationships to more young people in the community we serve, not just via our 6-year program but through school programming, community partnerships, and additional community efforts. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to take on this challenge; and I’m so, so excited to be here to support students, families, program managers, and the community!”

For 30 years, the nonprofit organization Trekkers has been dedicated to helping young people thrive. Through its unique six-year mentoring and expeditionary learning program, research shows programs help to increase students’ resiliency skills, ability to build positive relationships, and develop aspirations for the future. To learn more, visit the website at trekkers.org.