Education
Ph.D. from Indiana University School of Public Health with Focus Area: Leisure Behavior Minor: Social Science Approaches to Health and Healing Systems
M.A. from Kent State University in Exercise, Leisure, and Sport with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation
B.S. from Kent State University with concentration in Therapeutic Recreation
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Dawson's research interests focus on the development of evidence-based psychosocial support programs for clients impacted by disability and chronic illness. He has taken a leadership role in securing over $3 million in foundation grants for therapeutic programs and research. Shay's research includes the development and testing of the HEEDS Program, a training program for medical students working with patients who have disabilities. Dr. Dawson has also created the Life Spaces Practice Model for the field of recreational therapy. Shay is a contributing author to a leading recreational therapy textbook, five book chapters, 23 peer-reviewed articles, and has delivered more than 100 professional presentations.
Featured Publications
Austin, D., & Dawson, S. (2023). Processes and Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation: Evidence Based Recreational Therapy Practice. Sagamore Publishing, IL.
Dawson, S. (In Review) Life Spaces Practice Model, Therapeutic Recreation Journal
Bracken, R. C., Richman, K. A., Garden, R., Fischbein, R., Bhambra, R., Ragina, N., Dawson, S., & Cascio, A. (2023). Developing Disability-Focused Pre-Health and Health Professions Curricula. Journal of Medical Humanities, 1-24.
Leadership & Professional Service
Chairperson, National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Association
Director, Bradford Woods
Program Director, Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Major Indiana University
Program Director, Recreational Therapy and Rehabilitation Central Michigan University
Supervisor, Genesis Health Care, Inpatient Behavioral Health Therapeutic Services Department
Program Coordinator, Respite and Recreation Program, Kent State University
Committee Chair, ATRA National Research Agenda Committee
Committee Chair, NCTRC Research Committee
Committee Chair, NCTRC Scholarship Committee
Professional Awards & Recognition
Michigan Professor of the Year, Michigan Association of State Universities
David Austin Member of the Year, Recreation Therapist of Indiana
Marcia Carter Scholarly Manuscript of the Year Award
Blackboard Exemplary Course National Award
Provost Research Award, Central Michigan University
Unsung Hero Award, School of Public Health Indiana University
Adjunct Teacher of the Year, Department of Health and Wellness Design, Indiana University
SMART CEU Professor of the Year