Skip to main content
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Search search
Mobile Search:
Students and alumni chatting with each other

Meet some of the alumni who will join us at the Alumni Networking Event on Friday, April 4, 2025 (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) in 701 Ford Building!

Keleigh Asbury (RPTM 1996)

Director of Alumni Career Services
Penn State Smeal College of Business

Keleigh is currently a professional career strategist and early-stage startup advisor in business, but has worked in the fields of outdoor adventure sports, film & game, and visual arts. Her areas of expertise are leadership, culture, and human intelligence.

Find Keleigh on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keleighasbury/
https://keleighasbury.com

 

Elise Bingaman (RPTM 2019)

Global Brand Commercialization Manager
Disney

Elise is a creative and strategic thinker with a passion for understanding people. When she started at Disney in 2019, she made it her goal every day to share the love that she felt for her favorite Disney brands with others while adhering to the heart of their franchises.

Since then, Elise has honed her skills in marketing, brand management, strategy, social media, PR, and communications launching titles such as Frozen 2, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and The Little Mermaid (2023), along with dynamic brand campaigns such as Mickey & Friends Stay True, Ultimate Princess Celebration and Disney 100.

**Elise will be joining us virtually! Visit Dr. Kristin Thomas' office to chat with Elise.

Find Elise here!

 

Brie Burdge (RPTM 2020)

Assistant Director of Development
Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Brie works for our own HHD! She is a force behind the professional fundraising for the College.

Find Brie here!

 

Claire Coyne (RPTM 2022)

School Year Program Coordinator/Leadership Camp Director
Camp Fitch YMCA

Claire works with about 65 different schools to coordinate overnight outdoor education trips. She also oversees many parts of summer camp, focusing mostly on our teen leadership programs. Claire has held many different roles over the years so she is happy to talk about anything camp related!

Find Claire here!

 

Kelly Daly (RPTM 2006)

Volunteer
Camp Speers YMCA

After 25 years of leadership roles in immersive overnight youth programs, Kelly now volunteers with a few nonprofit organizations assisting with campaigns, fundraising, and programming.

Find Kelly here!

 

Marissa Duffy (RPTM 2012)

Borough Manager
Mount Pocono

As the Borough Manager of Mount Pocono and a former Director of Parks and Recreation, Marissa brings experience in municipal management, park development, and community revitalization. Her role encompasses strategic leadership over diverse projects, including park development, infrastructure improvements, and community programming. She manages multimillion-dollar budgets, secures and administers grant funding, and oversees project planning from concept through completion.

With certifications as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI), Marissa prioritizes safety, accessibility, and innovation in public spaces. Her experience includes developing comprehensive parks and recreation plans, implementing community-focused initiatives, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. She is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through thoughtful park design, effective resource management, and fostering community engagement.

Find Marissa here!

 

Erik Hoffman (RPTM 2013)

Director of Corporate Partnerships
Penn State Sports Enterprises - Playfly Sports 

Erik has 13+ years experience in sports business, including ticket sales, sponsorship sales, promotional concepts, sales management, and more. He currently works for Penn State Sports Enterprises/Playfly Sports. They handle all sponsorship sales within Penn State Athletics. 

Find Erik here!

 

Chris Houck (RPTM 2011)

Park Operations Manager
DCNR - Ohiopyle State Park 

Chris Houck is the Park Operations Manager of Ohipyle State Park in south west Pennsylvania. He oversees the operations of the park.

 

Kelly Richter (RPTM 2019)

Assistant Brewer
Dewey Beer Company

Kelly is brewing beer in an up-and-coming craft brewery using hand picked ingredients, following detailed recipe sheets, and seeing the entirety of the process through from beginning to end.