Edward (Ned) Houston
Vice President
Director of Financial Aid
Faculty Member
M.A., Social Ecology, Goddard College, 1980 • A.B., Visual and Environmental Studies, Harvard College, 1970

A faculty member and administrator at the College for 25 years, Ned Houston, values the intellectual and personal connections he develops with students while sharing with them the experiential learning that first attracted him to Sterling. Ned’s strong interest in interdisciplinary learning motivates his commitment to introducing broad perspectives and grappling with complexity in courses teaching human ecology, outdoor skills, or literature. He believes that this integrative approach empowers students and allows them to better understand their role in society. In recent years, Ned has worked closely with developing the Mountain Cultures Semester and has spent a semester in Nepal and in Sikkim with students. Ned teaches all levels of students from first years to seniors in the classroom and outdoors. Certified by the American Mountain Guides Association as a Top Rope Site Manager, he is the principal instructor for Sterling’s technical climbing courses. His recent climbing ranges from local crags to the summit of Ama Dablam (22,468’) in the Everest region of Nepal. Ned and his wife, Susan, share interests in raising llamas and outdoor pursuits.