Education
MS in Outdoor Recreation and Park Management, University of Oregon
PhD in Therapeutic Recreation, University of Minnesota
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Anderson’s scholarly activity is concentrated in these areas: (1) strengths-based therapeutic recreation practice, (2) inclusion, (3) clinical supervision, and (4) best practices in therapeutic recreation education, particularly in the online environment. She has many peer reviewed publications in a variety of journals and has completed hundreds of professional presentations and keynote speeches. She has authored two well-used textbooks in the field focused in strengths-based practice and inclusion. Dr. Anderson is the founder and director emeritus of the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center that fosters inclusion in all aspects of parks and recreation for people with disabilities.
Featured Publications
Devine, M., & Anderson, L. (2022). Inclusive leisure: A strengths-based approach. Urbana, IL: Human Kinetics Publisher.
Anderson, L. (2022). Leisure and the environment: An ecological perspective on well-being. In Exploring the leisure - health nexus: Pushing the boundaries globally. Peel, N., Maxwell, H., Young, J., & McGrath, R. (Eds.). CABI.
Anderson, L., & Heyne, L. (2021). Therapeutic recreation: A strengths approach (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Sagamore-Venture Publishing.
Leadership & Professional Service
Dr. Anderson’s leadership and professional association involvement has included service as member of the ATRA Higher Education Task Force, COAPRT Learning Outcomes committee, and numerous involvements at the state level. Dr. Anderson served as a Site Visitor for COAPRT. She has been an Associate Editor for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal for many years. Dr. Anderson has served on a variety of professional committees and has been recognized as a NYSTRA Fellow and NDRPA Fellow.
Professional Awards & Recognition
National Academy of Recreational Therapy Fellow; Fellow, Academy of Leisure Sciences; Distinguished Service Professor (highest rank in the State University of New York); State University of New York Distinguished Academy; New York Recreation and Park Society TR of the Year Award; Presidential Citation, ATRA; New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association Member of the Year Award; Outstanding Achievement in Research Award, SUNY Cortland; Excellence in Research Awards, SUNY Cortland (multiple years); SUNY Cortland Civic Engagement Leadership Award; National Therapeutic Recreation Society Presidential Award; New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association Fellow Award; SUNY Cortland Teaching Award, Incorporating Service Learning; North Dakota Recreation and Park Association Fellow Award; Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching McDermott Award, University of North Dakota