Associate dean in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences inducted as Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences

Denise Anderson, associate dean for undergraduate studies, faculty success and well-being in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) and faculty member in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM), was inducted as a Fellow of The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) in recognition of her career contributions to the field of leisure sciences and excellence in research, teaching and service.

TALS is an international organization committed to the intellectual advancement of leisure sciences. The Academy represents several disciplines, including recreation, tourism, hospitality, sports and outdoor education – and Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding performance and leadership in the field of leisure.

“It is an honor to represent the discipline as a Fellow of The Academy of Leisure Sciences,” said Anderson. “TALS comprises a community of innovative scholars and educators committed to improving the quality of life and well-being of people and communities across the nation and world. I am proud to be recognized among this esteemed group of individuals – and to have contributed to the field of leisure sciences in a meaningful way throughout my career.

Anderson’s research focuses on girls’ and women’s access to recreation and sport as well as the role of leisure in college student development. She has authored more than 50 articles and is co-author of two textbooks, The Park and Recreation Professional’s Handbook and Kraus’ Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society, 11^th and 12^th editions.

Additionally, Anderson is a Fellow of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network participant. She is founder and director of Finding Your Voice, an annual weekend camp for adolescent girls to foster self-esteem, self-expression and self-efficacy by engaging in outdoor recreational activities and educational health seminars – now in its 13^th year.

“Dr. Anderson is a well-respected scholar and leader in the field of leisure sciences,” said Leslie Hossfeld, CBSHS dean. “This national recognition by her peers is a testament to her career contributions to research and teaching in the discipline and the positive influence she has had in building people and communities in South Carolina and beyond. It is truly outstanding she has been recognized for this prestigious Fellowship.”

“The field of leisure sciences has benefited greatly from Dr. Anderson’s scholarship, knowledge and expertise – and her career contributions have made a remarkable difference in the lives of students, individuals and communities nationwide,” said Bob Barcelona, chair of the PRTM department. “This is the highest professional honor in our discipline, and there is none more deserving than Dr. Anderson. Her commitment to advancing research and promoting collaboration and innovation will serve our community of scholars into the future.”

Five faculty members in the Clemson Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management are TALS Fellows – the most at any one university nationwide.

The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) was established in July 2016. CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.