Profile for Laurie Harmon

Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy, presented "Cultivating Future Departmental Leadership: The Role of the Department Head/Chair" at The Academy of Leisure Sciences Annual Conference on March 6 in Pittsburgh, PA. Department chairs play a crucial role in higher education organizations. Decision processes emanating from this level, including those concerning personnel, account for 80% of all decisions made at the institutional level. Yet the people in these roles face unique challenges. The decisions made related to people require interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, as well as skills in managing budgets. However, many chairs, who often join the academy as experts in their disciplines or fields, need additional guidance to develop the skills necessary to create inclusive and supportive environments for faculty, staff, and students. This panel provided insight into the role of department heads and offered advice on how to best prepare for the role.

Submitted on: Mar. 15

Keith Fulthorpe, California State University - Long Beach; Brenda Wiggins, George Mason University; and Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy; presented "Outreach & Recruitment: In it for the long game" at the National Academic Leadership Retreat on Feb. 27 in Palm Springs, California. As discovery majors, recreation-related majors seem to be in a constant state of trying to “get the word out” to incoming students. Whether we call ourselves departments of leisure, recreation, tourism, experience management, parks or some combination, unless an entering first-year student has direct interaction with one of our practitioners, we are not likely to be found quickly when students research possible majors. In our session, we shared how three programs are at various stages of approaching this challenge. Facing obstacles such as dropping enrollment, loss of positions, a pandemic and reduced budgets, we discussed how a systematic approach, coupled with administrative support to “give it time”, helped stabilize and even increase enrollment, and build higher levels of student engagement.

Submitted on: Mar. 3, 2024

Jon Evans, Katherine Evans, Laurie Harmon, Brian Kumm-Schaley and Daniel Plunkett, all Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy, presented "WPRA Recreation Management Pre-Conference Panel Discussion" at Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association Annual Meeting on Jan. 30 in La Crosse, WI. This panel discussion reviewed recent curriculum changes, departmental responses to post-COVID student needs, student recruitment and retention strategies, and a Q&A period. Highlights included: modifications for the RM curriculum; development of certificate programs, facilitation of student learning experience, internship requirements and opportunities, departmental reach and initiatives to increase enrollment and professional engagement, and collaboration opportunities between the academic unit and professional counterparts in the field.

Submitted on: Feb. 6, 2024

Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation, presented "Nature, Mental Health, and SLOs" at Retention through Wellness in Nature Summer Workshop on Aug. 10 online. This workshop focused on discussion of how college campuses are utilizing nature to improve students' mental health needs. Mechanisms for outcomes and practical applications were the focus.

Submitted on: Aug. 23, 2022

Courtney Warax, New Student & Family Programs; Lisa Klein, Community Engagement; Scott Brown, Facilities Planning & Management; Chelsea Wyman, Murphy Library; Justin Davis, Music; Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; Nathan Barnhart, Rec Sports; Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation; Jenni Brundage and Andie Coxey, both Residence Life; Jamie Henk, Student Association student; Kyle Burke, Magann Dykema, Drea Higgins, Michael Slevin and Corey Stilwell, all University Centers; Kaylie Connaughty and Maren Walz, both University Marketing & Communications; and Gabrielle Smartt, Wellness, Health Advocacy; served on the Eagle Fest Planning Committee. The planning committee was responsible for Eagle Fest, a festival full of music, entertainment, food, and fun. It was an exciting opportunity for all students, faculty, staff, family members and local community neighbors to come together and celebrate the beginning of the fall semester!

Submitted on: Sept. 13, 2021