Our Story
Adventure Student Travel was founded in 1998 after two Indiana teachers experienced firsthand the time, effort, and dedication it took to plan a memorable, high-quality student trip to Disney World. Through that experience, one of those teachers recognized the incredible value of educational travel and the lasting impact it has on both students and educators. Inspired by a passion for creating meaningful travel experiences, Adventure Student Travel was born.
What began as a company focused on educational student travel has grown into a trusted leader in group travel. Today, we proudly plan everything from educational tours and graduation trips to student cruises, performance tours, business travel, church retreats, family reunions, and a wide variety of customized group experiences.
As our company has grown, so has our online presence. We started with a single website and have expanded to six group travel-focused websites, allowing us to better serve our growing community of travelers and provide customized trip planning for groups of all kinds.
Our Mission
At Adventure Student Travel, we believe every group deserves a travel experience that is safe, memorable, and stress-free. We take pride in every trip we create, working closely with group leaders to ensure each itinerary is thoughtfully planned, every detail is covered, and every traveler enjoys an unforgettable experience.
We understand that many of our trips are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. That's why our mission is simple: to provide exceptional customer service while delivering high-quality, customized group travel at a reasonable price. Every itinerary is tailored to meet the unique goals, interests, and budget of your group, ensuring a travel experience that's truly your own.
From the moment you begin planning until you return home, our team is here to support you every step of the way. We provide personalized service, expert guidance, and 24/7 emergency assistance while you're traveling, giving you peace of mind throughout your journey.
Whether you're planning an educational tour, graduation trip, performance tour, church retreat, business event, family reunion, or another group adventure, Adventure Student Travel is committed to making the planning process easy and the experience unforgettable. Let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Kara Mihalevich
I joined Adventure Student Travel in 2008 as the Finance Manager and have had the opportunity to serve in several roles before becoming President. With a bachelor's degree in Accounting and an MBA, along with the experience of growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I've developed a passion for helping groups create quality travel experiences.
As President, I still enjoy working directly with groups as a Group Sales Coordinator, helping make the planning process simple, personalized, and stress-free while providing quality trips at a reasonable price.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, family, and friends, traveling, boating, horseback riding, riding 4-wheelers, and exploring favorite destinations like Nashville, New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Punta Cana.
Denise Matthews
As Finance Manager, I combine my love of numbers with a passion for helping create memorable experiences for our clients. Since 2011, I've enjoyed working behind the scenes, where attention to detail helps make every trip a success.
Family is at the heart of everything I do. I married my high school sweetheart, and together we have one adult son. We love exploring the country on road trips and are always looking forward to our next adventure.
At home, I enjoy dreaming up our next woodworking project. While I'm usually the planner rather than the one holding the tools, I love seeing an idea come to life. Whether I'm planning, traveling, or relaxing with my dog and a good book, I believe the little things often create the most meaningful memories.
Lindsey Bixenman
I've been with Adventure Student Travel for more than half of my life, and I'm proud to serve as Sales Manager. I love building lasting relationships with teachers and group leaders while helping create unforgettable travel experiences for students.
I'm grateful to be part of the AST family and for the opportunity to travel the world through my career. Every experience has strengthened my passion for student travel.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, listening to music, playing cards, and cheering on my two children, Charlee (14) and Sevy (9), at their activities.
I look forward to helping schools create memories that last a lifetime.
