Mary Ann Devine
Associate Professormdevine@kent.edu
262 Gym Annex
Area: FLA , RPTM
Mary Ann is an Associate Professor in Leisure Studies. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Georgia in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Her research interests are in the area of inclusion of individuals with disabilities in recreation, sport, and leisure services. Dr. Devine has conducted numerous studies examining aspects of the inclusion process such as social acceptance, social construction of disability, best practices, stigma, attitudinal barriers, and the application of the ADA in leisure settings. Most recently, Dr. Devine has begun examining the role of Therapeutic Recreation in promoting healthy active living with individuals with disabilities. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in therapeutic recreation and inclusion of people with disabilities in leisure services. Pedagogically, Dr. Devine is interested in exploring multi-dimensional barriers to inclusion from the student perspective. Dr. Devine facilitates the Teaching Scholars Learning Community for Early Career Faculty for the Faculty Professional Development Center and currently sits on the SELS FAC and EHHS CAC.
Andrew Lepp, Ph.D
Assistant Professoralepp1@kent.edu
265 C Gym Annex
Area: FLA
I earned my Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Florida's Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. Before pursuing a Ph.D., I worked for seven years in the field of natural resource management and conservation. During this time, I worked for the United States Park Service, the United States Forest Service and was a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda, East Africa. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I served for two years as a Warden of Tourism in Uganda's national park system. In preparation for these jobs, I earned a Master of Science degree from Oregon State University in natural resource management, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University in mathematical-economics. This diversity of experience has been influential in determining my current interests in ecotourism, outdoor recreation, natural resource conservation and international development.
Mary Parr
Associate Professormparr@kent.edu
265 Gym Annex
Area: FLA
I received my Bachelor's degree in Recreation Education from the University of Iowa in 1984, my M.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University in 1988, and my Ph.D in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois in 1992. Prior to returning to graduate school I worked in Employee Services for a manufacturing company in Rockford, IL. I was responsible for coordinating employee sports leagues, company events, physical activity and health and wellness programs, etc. Upon completion of my doctorate, I joined the faculty of Kent State University. I teach courses in the areas of social psychological dimensions of leisure, cultural dimensions of contemporary leisure practices, and our Foundations of Recreation and Leisure course. I also teach a graduate course that examines the philosophical and social bases of leisure and sport. My research interests include understanding the meaning of leisure and it's relation to professional practice and professional preparation of students, and leisure's role in the development of community.
Philip Wang
Associate Professorpwang@kent.edu
262 Gym Annex
Area: FLA , RPTM
I completed my PhD in Leisure Studies at Penn State in 1991. My other educational experiences included Recreation and Parks (M.S.-Penn State) and Economics (M.A.-Western Michigan University, B.S.-Chinese Culture University). I joined the Kent State University faculty in 1990. Between 1999 and 2001, I took a leave from Kent State and joined National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan to lead the new Department of Sport and Leisure Studies as its Chair. In teaching, I have focused on management of commercial recreation, tourism development, social and philosophical issues of leisure, and park planning. My research interests include economic planning of tourism, serious leisure behavior, and classical eastern thoughts of leisure. I am currently working on research exploring the redevelopment of tourism from natural disasters and Confucius' notions of happiness and leisure.
