PhD, CTRS

Dr. Shay Dawson is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy & Rehabilitation as well as Disability Studies & Community Inclusion within the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University. Dr. Dawson received his PhD from Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington. His research interests focus on the development of evidence-based psychosocial support programs for youth and families impacted by chronic illness, disability, and life stressors. Shay is the former Director of Bradford Woods, Indiana University’s 2,500 acre fully accessible outdoor center offering pediatric medical summer camps as well as therapeutic programs focused on military, family, and equine-assisted activities for people with disabilities. Leadership roles include the former Board Chair for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC), Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Academic Coordinator at Indiana University and CMU, Supervisor for the Therapeutic Services Behavioral Health Department at Bethesda Hospital, and as an Associate Editor for both the American Journal of Recreation Therapy and the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Shay offers a faculty led student trip to Serbia focused on disability specific programming in East Europe and has several professional projects in this region of the world. Dr. Dawson has received the Michigan Association of State Universities Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, the David Austin Member of the Year award from the Recreation Therapists of Indiana, as well as the Unsung Hero Award and two adjunct teacher of the year awards from Indiana University.