Graduate Directory

Fabiana Pacini Albuquerque

Degree Sought: Ph.D. Student, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Law, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Brazil
Graduate Degrees: Graduate Certificates in Tourism & Hospitality Management and Event Planning & Management, Anhembi Morumbi University, Brazil
Primary Research Interest(s): Social and cultural dimensions of sport, tourism, and leisure; meaningful experiences; community well-being; and the ways sport and tourism positively shape people’s lives.
Advisor: Dr. Bryan Clift
Contact:

Courtney Bagans

Degree Sought: P.h.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Fort Myers, FL
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering at University of Florida; B.A., Anthropology at University of Florida
Graduate Degrees: M.P.H., Environment, Climate, & Health at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Primary Research Interest(s): Built Environment and Active Living; Nature-based Solutions for Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities
Advisor: Dr. Aaron Hipp
Contact:

Xavier Basurto

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Manta, Ecuador
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s in International Business Management
Graduate Degrees:Master’s in International Hospitality and Tourism Management
Master’s in Business Management
Primary Research Interest(s): Behavior and identity construction of recreationists in water environments
Advisor: Drs. Kyle Bunds and Bryan Clift
Contact: [email protected]

Christopher Boyer

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Pottsville, PA
Undergraduate Degree: Journalism, B.A., University of Maryland
Graduate Degree: Sport Management, M.S., West Virginia University
Primary Research Interest(s): Mental Health as Related to Participation in College Sports
Advisor: Jason Bocarro
Contact: [email protected]

Sallie Davis

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Undergraduate Degree: BS in Biology & BA in Exercise and Sports Science UNC
Graduate Degrees: MS in Sport and Entertainment Management USC
Primary Research Interest(s): Intersection of public recreation facilities & youth sport organizations.
Advisor: Dr. Jason Bocarro & Dr. Mike Edwards
Contact:

Sarah Dinger

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Hometown: Croton, New York
Undergraduate Degree: Biology & Society, Cornell University
Graduate Degrees: Agricultural Education & Extension, NC State University
Primary Research Interest(s): Informal Science Education and Evaluation, Experiential Learning, STEM
Education and Access to Research Opportunities
Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
Contact: [email protected]

Sweta Dixit

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science, B.S., Tribhuvan University
Graduate Degree: Wildlife and Fisheries Science, M.S., University of Tennessee
Primary Research Interest(s): Human-Wildlife and Park-People Conflict and Co-Existence, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Community-Based Conservation, and Protected Area Management.
Advisor: Lincoln Larson
Contact: [email protected]

Nicholas Drake

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Watkins Glen, New York
Undergraduate Degree: Physical Education, B.S., SUNY Cortland University
Graduate Degrees: Kinesiology and Health Promotion, M.S., University of Kentucky, M.Ed. in Sport Administration, Xavier University
Primary Research Interest(s): Community and Amateur Sport, Role of Sport and Recreation in Creating Active, Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities
Advisors: Kimberly Bush and Jonathan Casper
Contact: [email protected]

Sarah Farrar

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Experiential and Outdoor Education (BS) and Psychology (BA) – Appalachian State University
Graduate Degree: Outdoor and Experiential Education (MS) – Western Carolina University
Primary Research Interest(s): Race and power relations in outdoor leisure
Advisor: Dr. Corey Johnson
Contact: [email protected]

Seana Finn

Degree: M.S., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Valrico, Florida
Undergraduate Degree: Biology, B.S., Shaw University
Primary Research Interest(s): Wetland Ecology and Community Science
Advisor: Caren Cooper
Contact: [email protected]

Ryn Flood

Degree Sought: Masters in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Hometown: Aprex, NC
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science
Primary Research Interest(s): Environmental Education
Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
Contact:

Kayla Gilligan

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelors of Science in Natural Resources with Concentration in Public Administration and Policy from NC State University
Graduate Degree: Masters of Science in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management
Primary Research Interest(s): Environmental Justice Disaster Resilience, Arts-Based Research, Policy & Public Administration, Community Engagement
Advisor: Dr. Bethany Cutts
Contact: [email protected]

Junga Han

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, B.S., Politics, Economics, and Law, B.A., Korea University
Graduate Degree: Environmental Planning and Landscape Architecture, M.S., Korea University
Primary Research Interest(s): Physical Activity and Activity Patterns Across Built Environments, Including Parks and Playground
Advisor: Aaron Hipp
Contact: [email protected]

Cassidy Hawkins

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Hometown: Boone, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Zoology, B.S., NC State University
Graduate Degrees: Biology, M.S., NC State University
Primary Research Interest(s): Visitor engagement and outreach in zoos using participatory science and how visitors can contribute to the behavioral management/observation of animals under human care
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Larson
Contact: [email protected]

Brooklynn N. Joyner

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Pinetops, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Plant Biology, B.S., NC State University
Primary Research Interest(s): Participatory Science Outcomes, Public Trust in Science, Engaging Rural Communities With Science and Nature
Advisor: Lincoln Larson
Contact: [email protected]

Katie King

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Livonia, Michigan
Undergraduate Degree: Community Health Education, B.S., Wayne State University
Graduate Degree: Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, M.S., Western Illinois University
Primary Research Interest(s): Community Health, Social Justice, Gender Equity in Sports, and Positive Youth Development
Advisor: Dr. Michael Edwards and Dr. Kimberly Bush
Contact: [email protected]

Paul Klem

Degree Sought: Master’s of Natural Resources
Hometown: Jamestown, NC
Undergraduate Degree: BS in Psychology
Primary Research Interest(s): Recreational Management Plans for Rock Climbing
Advisor: Dr. Lincoln Larson
Contact:

Peizhe Li

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Changchun, Jilin Province, China
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Tourism Development and Management, Arizona State University
Graduate Degree: M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University
Primary Research Interest(s):Climate adaptation planning; Community engagement; Conservation social science; Visitor use management
Advisor: Drs. Erin Seekamp and Yu-Fai Leung
Contact: [email protected]

Derek McNamara

Degree Sought: M.S. in Natural Resources (Outdoor Recreation Tech. Opt.)
Hometown: Huntingtown, Maryland
Undergraduate Degree: Criminology and Criminal Justice, B.A., University of Maryland
Primary Research Interest(s): National Parks and Forests, Preservation vs. Conservation, Interaction with Recreation
Advisor: Yu-Fai Leung
Contact: [email protected]

Kushagra Meshram

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Bastar, Chhattisgarh, India
Undergraduate Degree: Forestry, B.S., Wildlife Institute of India
Graduate Degree: Wildlife Science, M.Sc., Wildlife Institute of India
Primary Research Interest(s): Large Animal Conservation, Wildlife Laws and Policies, Sustainable Tourism and Conservation Education
Advisor: Lincoln Larson
Contact: [email protected]

Anna Woodroof Mulqueen

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts
Undergraduate Degree: Sustainability Studies, B.A., Stony Brook University
Graduate Degree: Sustainable International Development, M.A., Brandeis University
Primary Research Interest(s): Participatory Science and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Advisor: Caren Cooper
Contact: [email protected]

Kayla Patterson

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Undergraduate Degree: Psychology, B.A., New York University
Graduate Degree: Higher Education Student Affairs, M.Ed., Western Carolina University
Primary Research Interest(s): Activism and Community Enhancement Initiatives that Address the Intersectionalities Between Earth Justice and Social Justice within Historically Marginalized Communities, Emphasis: Afrocentricity and Ecowomanism
Advisor: Corey Johnson
Contact: [email protected]

Chloe Phillips

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Elgin, Oklahoma
Undergraduate Degree: Sports and Exercise Science, B.S., Cameron University
Graduate Degree: Sport Administration, M.A., University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Primary Research Interest(s): Impact of Recreational and Competitive Sports on Individuals and Communities
Advisors Corey Johnson and Bryan Clift
Contact: [email protected]

Muhammad Ikbal Putera

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
Undergraduate Degree: Silviculture, B.S., IPB University, Indonesia
Graduate Degree: Forest Resources and Conservation, M.S., University of Florida
Primary Research Interest(s): Youth Engagement and Conservation Education in National Parks; World Heritage Sites and Visitor Management in Protected Areas
Advisor: Yu-Fai Leung
Contact: [email protected]

Scott Schneider

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Hartland, WI
Undergraduate Degree: Communications & Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Graduate Degree: Recreation Management (M.S.), University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Adult and Community College Education (M.Ed.), North Carolina State University
Primary Research Interest(s): Nature and Health, Outdoor/Environmental Education and Pedagogy
Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
Contact: [email protected]

Lydia Sellers

Degree Sought: M.S., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Grant Park, Illinois
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science and Policy with a Marine Conservation Concentration, B.S., Duke University
Primary Research Interest(s): Environmental Education to Promote Healthy Communities and Confront Injustices
Advisor: Kathryn Stevenson
Contact: [email protected]

Danielle Smith

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Marketing, B.S., University of Maryland
Graduate Degrees: Sport Business Management, MSBM and MBA, University of Central Florida
Primary Research Interest(s): Social Marketing Impact on Sport Fans
Advisor: Jonathan Casper
Contact: [email protected]

Krista White

Degree Sought: Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Undergraduate Degree: English, B.A., University of North Carolina Wilmington
Graduate Degrees: Park and Resource Management, M.S., Environmental Education, M.Ed., Slippery Rock University
Primary Research Interest(s): Impacts of Outdoor Recreation on Public Lands and the Intersection of Tourism
Advisor: Whitney Knollenberg
Contact: [email protected]

Abubakar Sadique Yakubu

Degree Sought: M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Hometown: Prang, Ghana
Undergraduate Degree: BA Culture and Tourism
Primary Research Interest(s): Sustainable Tourism, Agritourism, & Rural Development
Advisor: Dr. Carla Barbieri
Contact:

Sarah Yelton

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate Degree: B.A., Recreation Administration & Anthropology, UNC-Chapel Hill
Graduate Degrees: M.S., Natural Resources – Environmental Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Primary Research Interest(s): Informal Science Learning, Nature-based Learning, Experiential Learning, Place-based Education
Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
Contact: [email protected]

Liani Yirka

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Hometown: Live in Siler City, NC; from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate Degree: Zoology, NC State University
Graduate Degrees: Zoology/Applied Ecology, NC State University
Primary Research Interest(s): Universal design and benefits of outdoor learning for people with disabilities
Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
Contact: [email protected]

Sculptures of wolves howling beneath vibrant autumn trees with orange leaves. - Natural Resources Alumni, Supporters Honored for Impact and Service - Parks Recreation and Tourism Management NC State University

Yunhua Xiang

Degree Sought: Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Hometown: China
Undergraduate Degree: Social sports guidance and management (Golf and Management)
Graduate Degrees: Social sports guidance and management
Primary Research Interest(s): Social and cultural dimensions of sport, tourism, and community development
Advisor: Dr. Bryan Clift
Contact:

Graduate Directory