I am an Associate Professor in Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Employing primarily mixed methodologies, my research examines community-based outdoor and adaptive sports recreational therapy programs for Veterans and Military Service Members with behavioral health disorders. My research can be categorized into three areas: 1) efficacy research; 2) effectiveness research; and 3) implementation research. Using efficacy research, I examine if the use of a particular modality has positive outcomes for Veterans and Military Services members with behavioral health disorders. Another area of my research focuses on the effectiveness of applying a specific model in community-based programs for Veterans with behavioral health disorders. I also examine barriers associated with the implementation of community-based outdoor and adaptive sport recreational therapy programs for Veterans and Military Service Members with behavioral health disorders.
A second aspect of my career involves educating and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. I teach courses such as recreational therapy and behavioral health, recreational therapy leadership, planning, and facilitation, and implementing recreation services with a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion lens. I have developed these areas of expertise through years of professional practice as a recreational therapist and my research interest areas. I include applied, experiential, and critical thinking skills throughout all of my courses to develop high quality recreational therapist and recreation professionals.
