Faculty and Staff

My research focuses on the role of out-of-school time recreation (e.g., sport, summer camps, after-school programs) in positive youth development, and on the development of active lifestyles in youth and young adults.

My main interests are around values and experiential learning. I am particularly interested in expeditions and the kinds of experiences that people report to be significant.

Black Reed’s research focuses on the role of out-of-school time programs in promoting justice-oriented youth in marginalized populations and how these programs can foster social consciousness and positive development.

Deanna is the administrative assistant for the RPTM Undergraduate Program.

The purpose of my research is to understand ways to support people who encounter challenges to experiencing leisure. I teach about inclusive leisure services, leisure philosophy and theories, and research methods.

Eric oversees all of the functions of the Golf Teaching & Research Center, including research projects, player development programs, club fittings, golf instruction classes for the Penn State PGA Golf Management students, and detailed swing analysis for the general public.

Laura is the academic adviser for the RPTM undergraduate program.  

My research interests focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable community development, and nature-based tourism. I explore these themes through the lenses of environmental anthropology, the anthropology of tourism, and conservation psychology.

My focus is on the support and development of undergraduate students as they develop the career path in RPTM.  I oversee advising, engaged learning activities, professional skill development and internship in the department.

My research aims to help empower and elevate the voices of all members of future and current generations to tackle complex global issues.

Dan is the Head of Coaching and Player Development in the Golf Teaching and Research Center. He also teaches a general education requirement golf courses for KINES.

My teaching and research interests focus on state and community park and recreation services in terms of their funding and their health outcomes.

Peter Newman is Professor and Head of the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management with a joint faculty appointment in the Graduate Degree Program in Acoustics. Peter Newman studies visitor management in parks and related areas.

I am interested in investigating the marketing, the economics, and the benefits of the travel and tourism phenomenon with data analytics.

Kristin is the Constituent Programming and Events Officer for the PGA Professional Golf Management program and the RPTM department.

Skylar is the academic adviser for the Shaver's Creek and RPTM undergraduate programs.

My work is committed to the protection of souls of Black youth. I work with communities to understand how the racial identities of Black youth are shaped and the seek to understand how recreation can be leveraged to positively impact this process.

I enjoy teaching students how to enhance the quality of life of those we serve through community events and inclusive programming.

My research focuses on national parks and protected areas, transboundary conservation area management, human and wildlife co-existence, and the impacts of tourism on biodiversity conservation and community development.

Mitchell serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Internship Coordinator of the PGA Golf Management Program.

I take pride in helping students find their passion through education and mentoring, encouraging exploration and learning at Penn State and beyond.

My research strives to improve understanding of communication strategies aimed at influencing human and environmental health regarding protected areas.

I intertwine my research on in and out of classroom experiences (mostly, international) with my teaching approach by bringing the out-of-class learning experience into the classroom.

Stephanie is the administrative assistant for the RPTM Graduate Program.

I serve as an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the PGA Golf Management Program. Our goal is to mentor and educate future alumni and PGA Members. Since 1997, I have mentored over 600 students who are now alumni.