Terry Robertson
Terry Robertson Ph.D. is the Leisure Studies Department Chair at Long Beach State. In said role, he oversees all fiscal, personnel, resources and curriculum within the department. He is an experienced educator, academic leader and a former practitioner. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Robertson worked professionally in a variety of settings (mental health, substance abuse, senior services, and community based special recreation <inclusive and clinical> programs and services). Dr. Robertson has served on many local, state, national, and international boards and commissions. He also has published numerous articles, a textbook, multiple book chapters, research monographs, technical reports and training program materials. Dr. Robertson was also recognized in 2019 by CPRS a California Park and Recreation Society “Award of Excellence for Research."
University of Utah, Ph.D.
Major - Recreation and Leisure
Minor - Special Physical Education
University of Utah, M.S.
Major - Therapeutic Recreation
Minor - Media Studies
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.S.
Major - Education-Physical Education/Recreation
Dr. Robertson has interests in applied evaluation and research, therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, health, wellness, quality of life, access and inclusion to recreation and leisure, adaptive recreation, physical activity and sports.
Dr. Robertson has been a recognized researcher, scholar, and sought-after speaker, with over 40 publications and 175 presentations. (Note: this is a list and is not divided into categories <i.e. peer review vs non-peer review>, no impact factors are identified, nor are all the formats <hard copy, electronic, etc.>. Most of the past 15 years, Dr. Robertson has been serving in some form of administration where there was no expectation for original research, so writing has been focused on books, book chapters and grants/contracts.) Select examples from the past 13 years below.
*Robertson, T. and Long, T. (In Process Due out SP 2024) Applied Evaluation in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism: A Systematic Approach for Quality and Sustainability. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
*Beemer, R., Symonds, M. and Robertson, T. (2023).Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life,In Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Fourth Edition, Tapps and Wells (Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN: 9781492580966
*Long, T., Robertson, T. (2020). Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation, 2nd Edition, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN: 9781492543671,
*Symonds, M., Beemer, R., and Robertson, T. (2019).Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life,In Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Third Edition, Tapps and Wells (Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN: 9781492580966
*Nagata, S., Long, T., Robertson, T., & Symonds, M. (2017). Psychological impact of wheelchair rugby and differences between American and Japanese players. PALAESTRA, 31(3), 44-49.
*Winnick, J., Kasser, S., Horvat, M., and Robertson, T. (2017) Adapted Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Custom eBook: Ouachita Baptist University. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN – 9781492563884
*Robertson, T, Long, T. (2017) Co-editor, Recreation Theory eBook, G. Kassing (Ed) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
*Robertson, T, Long, T. (2015). Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation Book, G. Kassing (Ed) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN-13: 9781492517801
*Kim, K., Robertson, T. and Compton, D. (2012). Healthy and sustainable communities: A systems approach to increasing human capacities through leisure services The Global Journal of Health and Physical Education Pedagogy 2012, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 113-142.
*Kim, K & Robertson, T. (2012).The World Leisure Commission on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention , World Leisure Journal, Taylor & Francis, Routledge, 53(4) pp 81-82 ISSN 0441-9057 (Print), 1607-8055 (Online)
*Robertson, T.P., Symonds, M.L., Muehlenbein, M.P. and Robertson, C. (2012). Health, Fitness, Wellness & Livability. In Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Second Edition, In G. Kassing (Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Pgs. 305-320
*Robertson, T., Muehlenbein, M. and Symonds, M. (2011). The public health imperative: Promoting health and preventing lifestyle-related illness and disease. Healthy Communities Measurement System. Indiana Parks and Recreation Association, Healthy Communities Tool-Kit. Indiana University Press
*Robertson, T. & Hollings, (2010). Mental health services within a comprehensive community care program help the frail elderly. (Alta RN 2010 Jul-Aug;66(4):20-1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20718300/
*Long, T. D. and Robertson, T. (2010). Inclusion Concepts, Processes, and Models. In Inclusive recreation. (2010) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
*Green, R., Long, T. D. and Robertson, T. (2010). Inclusive camping. In Inclusive recreation. (2010) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
During his career, Dr. Robertson has received awards and recognitions for research, teaching and service. Some examples provided below.
*California Park and Recreation Society, Outstanding Research Award https://www.cprs.org/resources/cprs-awards/outstanding-research
*California Park and Recreation Society, Recreation Therapy Board, Recreation Therapy Citation Award
*W. James Whyte Visiting Research Fellowship in the College of Business, Education and Law’s School of Tourism, Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia
*Outstanding Alumni Award, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (Awarded, 4-19-2013)
*Paleastra Leadership Award, “Leadership in Disability Sport, Adaptive Physical Education & Therapeutic Recreation” (4 awards in each discipline are recognized once every ten years i.e. 1991, 2001, 2011) Paleastra published (2011) ISSN 8756-5811) Vol 26, No 4, pgs 22-25
*Robert M. Taylor “Professional Service Award”, Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
*Awarded the 1st ever “Terry Robertson Community Service Award” Midland Empire Resources for Independent living, St. Joseph, MO
*“Distinguished Professor”, Northwest Missouri State University, Alumni Association
*“Scholar of the Year”, Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
*“Outstanding Professional Award” 36th Annual Midwest Therapeutic Recreation and Adapted Physical Activity Symposium
*“Professional Service Award”, President, National Therapeutic Recreation Society
*Leadership Northwest Missouri Graduate/ “Invited Keynote Speaker”
*“Presidential Citation”, National Therapeutic Recreation Society
*“Certificate of Appreciation” Mortar Board, Northwest Missouri State University
*“Recreation Teacher of the Year” Award, HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University
*“Recreation Professional of the Year”, Central District Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
*“Merit Award/Leisure /Division”, Central District Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
*Missouri Governors’ Award for “Teaching Excellence”
*“Service Award”, Expanding Horizons/ Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation
*“Teacher of the Year” HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University
*“Service Award”, At-Large Director, National Therapeutic Recreation Society
*“Tommy Wilson Award” for “significant contributions to recreation for individuals with disabilities” by the American Association for Leisure and Recreation/AAHPERD.
*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University
*"Outstanding Therapeutic Recreation Professional". Missouri Park and Recreation Association
*“Outstanding Presenter Award”, Expanding Horizons/Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation, Lake Geneva, WI
*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University
*“Honorary Numbskull Award”, Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation
*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University
*"Teacher of the Year Award" Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah
*"Nominee and runner up," College of Health, "Teacher of the Year Award", University of Utah
*“Leadership Award”, TEAM –TR (Train, Educate & Advance Minorities”, Therapeutic Recreation)
University of Utah
*"Gary Ellis Research Award" for Outstanding Dissertation/Research Proposal
*"Citation" for Service to National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS)
*"Graduate Student Representative" for Internal and External Graduate Review, Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah
*"Outstanding Graduate Student," Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah, Doctoral Award
*"Outstanding Community Service Award," Las Vegas Saints-n-Sinners Non-profit philanthropy organization.
*"Rich Boyce Scholarship," Nevada Recreation and Park Society
*"Athletic Scholarship-Wrestling," University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Current Professional Organization Leadership Roles
American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) https://aapra.org/
AAPRA Sustainability Task Force 2022-Present
AAPRA By-Laws Committee 2022- Present
AAPRA Research for the Profession Committee 2023 – Present
AAPRA Research Assistance Committee 2020-2020
AAPRA Mentorship Committee 2019-2021
National Academic Leaders Retreat (NAL-R)
National Academic Leaders Conference/Retreat, (NAL-R), Lead Conference Planner, 2023 – 2024 National Academic Leaders Conference/Retreat, (NAL-R), Planning Team, 2020 - 2021
Current Professional Organization Memberships
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
California Parks and Recreation Society https://www.cprs.org/home
National Recreation and Parks Association https://www.nrpa.org/
The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration https://aapra.org/
The Academy of Leisure Sciences https://www.theacademyofleisuresciences.org/
World Leisure Organization
