Kristin Thomas

On the faculty since 2017, Kristin Thomas, Ph.D. is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) at Penn State University, USA. Her portfolio of work includes eleven plus years of event and program management and design, developing courses and co-curricular programs (domestic and international), and research on development, learning, and sense-making during travel and recreational experiences. She is also the RPTM Faculty Coordinator for the Meeting and Events Management Certificate. Kristin recently developed the Experience Design and Event Management virtual engagement course collaborating, now, with Breda University of Applied Sciences.

Accomplishments of which she is proud include creating and running the Global Engagement and Leadership Experience, and international program for U.S and international students, col-leading international and national engaged scholarship opportunities and authoring and teaching the Experience Design and Event Management virtual engagement course collaborating, now, with Breda University of Applied Sciences.

My research focuses on meaning-making, learning, and motivations and expectations during travel experiences (educational, heritage, and virtual) using qualitative and mixed-methods.  I have presented research findings at national and international conferences including Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, CIEE, The Forum on Education Abroad, PaCIE, and the Michigan College Student Personnel Assocation. I have three articles in process:  Can Tourism and Education Abroad Mix?; The Awe in Awesome in Education Abroad; Old influences and Blurred Lines:  Student, tourist, and traveler, as needed.