Recreation Administration has been available as a Liberal Studies degree program since the 1970s. The new status will give the program more visibility on and off campus and, in turn, attract more students.
“We have finally gained independence,” says Chris Hopper, chair of the Department of Kinesiology & Recreation Administration and a winner of the 2014-2015 Distinguished Faculty Award. “This is something we have wanted to do for a long time.”
“We had to prove to the CSU that we deserve the status, and that we have the curriculum, resources, facilities, and faculty to be able to offer a strong program.”
Humboldt State University President Lisa Rossbacher praised the effectiveness of the program. “This speaks to the quality of the curriculum and the dedication of the faculty to make Recreation Administration a rich experience for students,” she says. “But what makes HSU’s program special is the focus on hands-on learning, which helps put students on a path toward a career or a higher degree.”
Currently, there are 105 students majoring in Liberal Studies: Recreation Administration. Hopper expects that number to climb significantly over the next few years in the new Recreation Administration degree.
“HSU students have been gravitating to this major,” says Hopper. “Students will come in as a science major, and realize that Recreation Administration is better for them. We can now recruit students as freshmen and transfers looking to go into the professional field.”
The professional field is broad and diverse—and apparently burgeoning. The recreation, tourism, and leisure services industry is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the world.
Growth means more jobs. More jobs means a higher demand for qualified candidates. And that’s where HSU’s program meets the need.
“We prepare students for the workforce,” says Hopper. “The advantage of the recreation administration degree is that it’s workforce-oriented and gives students specific career skills.”
“Our experienced faculty—Jayne McGuire, Genevieve Marchand, and Craig Riordan—provide students with skills that are very attractive to community partners.”
The program offers concentrations in Tourism Management and Outdoor Adventure Recreation. Courses examine everything from the role of play and leisure in society (REC 200) to geotoursim (REC 435).
Recreation Administration also provides a strong theoretical base in business (marketing and management). Those business skills, says Hopper, may be relevant to a management position at a local parks and recreation agency at the municipal level, or help students start an outdoor adventure company.
Classes aside, the program emphasizes practical experience. “A big part of the program is giving students hands-on learning opportunities,” says Hopper.
Students, for example, will work with various parks, agencies and groups to organize a trip, which entails making sure everything’s organized and that all the proper permits have been obtained.
Another strength of the program is its strong ties with the community. Hopper says Tony Smithers, executive director of the Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau (HCCVB), will teach a class this fall. And with his help, students will have a chance to do internships at HCCVB.
Other changes are in the works for Recreation Administration. Under the new major, the program plans to:
- Add a Leisure and Aging course (in the new Inclusive Communities concentration), which will cover best practices for developing rec programs for senior citizens.
- Offer HSU’s high-quality scuba program, normally taken by marine biology students, as a concentration for Recreation Administration majors.
- Focus on sustainable tourism.
For more information, please contact Jayne McGuire at 707.826.3735.