ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

Dr. Erik Luvaas is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Movement Sciences in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at University of Idaho. As Director of the Interdisciplinary Training Program at the Center on Disabilities and Human Development, Erik mentors undergraduate students as they train to serve people with disabilities in their future respective fields of practice. Erik was previously faculty in recreational therapy at California State University, Sacramento. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a recreational therapist in a variety of settings including pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Portland, Oregon, youth adaptive sports at the nonprofit Paralympic Sports Club Adaptive Sports Northwest, adult psychiatric rehabilitation at Oregon State Hospital, and mental health crisis stabilization at Telecare Corporation. Erik’s research explores the psychophysiological benefits of nature engagement and the efficacy of community-supported programs focused on health and wellbeing of people with disabilities.

Ph.D., CTRS

Gena Bell Vargas, PhD, CTRS, is the MSRT Program Director and an Associate Professor of Instruction in the RT program at Temple University. Her clinical background includes an urban acute psychiatric inpatient setting working with people experiencing symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well an inpatient physical rehabilitation with persons that have experienced strokes, TBIs, SCIs, and amputations. Recently, Gena has been getting back into the world of adventure programming, and continuing her learning in aromatherapy, while also pursuing the scholarship of teaching and learning.

PhD, CTRS

Susan Purrington, PhD, CTRS, is currently the Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow at Connecticut College. She is a recognized leader in AI integration within higher education, having developed the nation's first AI literacy course focused on leisure and recreation ("AI and the Future of Fun") and created several academic support and professional bots, such as the "RT Buddy," a specialized GPT chatbot for recreational therapy professionals. As an AI Ethics & Integration Consultant and former Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University, she has delivered presentations on AI in education and therapeutic recreation across multiple countries. She holds various AI and teaching certifications, and currently chairs the American Therapeutic Recreation Association AI Task Force. Her work bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical applications in education, therapeutic recreation, and inclusive learning environments.

PhD, MS, CTRS, CCLS

Dr. Alicia Pola is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) for nine years and an educator in higher education for seven, she brings a strong commitment to advancing recreation therapy through teaching, scholarship, and community engagement. Dr. Pola is passionate about creating learning spaces where students explore the value and impact of recreation therapy services while critically engaging with issues of equity and social justice. Her teaching emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices that center leisure, play, recreation, and health as vital components of well-being. Her professional pursuits focus on amplifying voices within the field, fostering dialogue, and promoting equitable models of service delivery. By bridging theory and practice, Dr. Pola aims to prepare future practitioners to meet diverse community needs and contribute to a more just and accessible approach to health and recreation.

EdD, CTRS

Rachel Smith, EdD, CTRS, is an Instructional Assistant Professor and Senior Internship Coordinator in Therapeutic Recreation at Illinois State University. A long-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, she brings decades of practice-informed experience to her teaching, mentoring, and scholarship. Dr. Smith is passionate about creating learning experiences that help students connect theory to practice while thoughtfully engaging with issues of access, inclusion, and equity. Her interests include universal design, facilitation in recreational therapy, cruise tourism, and developing meaningful, high-quality internship experiences that prepare students for professional practice. Committed to service within the profession, Dr. Smith remains actively involved in professional leadership and enjoys supporting student learning both in and out of the classroom. She has helped grow the Great Lakes Recreational Therapy Student Conference to be the premier conference for RT students in the Midwest. Outside of work, she values lifelong learning, enjoys cruising with her family, and volunteers with Healing Rides, an adaptive cycling program, various special recreation associations, Special Olympics, and AIM: adult inclusive ministry.

MS, CTRS

Shelly Beaver, MS, CTRS is a Senior Lecturer in Recreational Therapy in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at Old Dominion University (ODU) where she teaches courses in recreational therapy and disability culture. Shelly has 15 years of teaching experience in higher education and has been instrumental in shaping her program’s national award-winning undergraduate curriculum. Shelly’s teaching is informed by over 10 years of clinical experience in physical rehabilitation, long term care, and community settings. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in applied learning; she implements innovative teaching strategies and community-engaged experiences to prepare students for entry-level work in recreation. In recognition of her outstanding teaching and advocacy, Shelly has received multiple awards, including the University Distinguished Teacher Award, Ellmer College of Health Sciences Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies Teaching and Innovation Award, the Kate Broderick Faculty Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education, and the John R. Broderick Diversity Champion Award. In addition to her teaching, Ms. Beaver is a doctoral scholar in Human Movement Sciences at ODU. Her research interests focus on the intersection of Recreational Therapy preservice training, professional practice, and disability studies. She also serves on the editorial board of the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and is an active member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s (ATRA) Higher Education Committee.

PhD, CTRS, CARSS 1

Dr. Allie Thomas is an assistant professor and scholar–practitioner advancing innovative therapeutic and outdoor recreation programs that support individuals with disabilities, youth engaged in health-risk behaviors, and participants across the lifespan. Her work integrates adaptive sport, outdoor recreation, and community-based programming to promote resilience, health, and meaningful leisure engagement. At Texas State University, she leads high-impact, service-learning and experiential education initiatives that connect recreational therapy students with community partners. These include the Rebound Program for youth in disciplinary alternative education settings, All for Fun and Fun for All with the City of San Marcos, Ranch Day in collaboration with Rehab Without Walls for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, and adaptive aquatics programming for youth with disabilities. Dr. Thomas brings extensive undergraduate and graduate teaching experience, emphasizing student-centered learning, applied skill development, and evidence-based practice. She is committed to preparing future professionals through immersive, real-world learning environments and interprofessional collaboration. Her dedication to teaching excellence is supported by significant professional development, including participation in the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification Course, which informs her inclusive, engaging, and outcomes-driven instructional approach. Her scholarship explores adaptive sport, outdoor and adventure-based interventions, and interprofessional collaboration in recreational therapy. Through this work, Dr. Thomas advances evidence-based practices that leverage recreation and outdoor experiences to build resilience, support recovery, and foster inclusive health and wellness opportunities for diverse populations.

PhD, CTRS, FDRT

Heather Bright is an Associate Professor at Slippery Rock University (SRU), where she has taught since 2015 in the Recreational Therapy program. Heather has an undergraduate degree from SRU in Therapeutic Recreation, a Masters from East Carolina University in Recreational Therapy Administration, and a doctorate from Clemson University. Work experience includes, physical rehabilitation (brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, etc.), long-term care, PACE programs (programs for all-inclusive care for the elderly), and an accessible camp for children and adults with disability and chronic illness. Heather’s ATRA involvement includes being co-chair of the Standards of Practice and Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice committees, as well as a member of the Higher Education Committee.

MS, CTRS

Dr. Brent Hawkins, CTRS, LRT, FDRT is a Professor and the Coordinator of the Recreation Therapy Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). His primary research focuses on the functional and quality-of-life outcomes of recreational therapy and other rehabilitation services for civilians and military veterans with service-connected injuries and disabilities. At UNCW and in the surrounding community, he also leads and supports adaptive sports and recreation initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in active living through recreation. Brent has served on the Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium Board of Directors since 2019 and was inducted into the National Academy of Recreational Therapists in 2021. He currently serves as the Chair of the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure and is the Chair of the ATRA Higher Education Committee.

Ph.D., CTRS/L, FDRT

Patti Craig, Ph.D., CTRS/L, FDRT is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Dr. Craig will be retiring in May 2026, after 27 years at UNH. Dr. Craig is a NH licensed recreation therapist (CTRS/L) and is recognized by the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) as a Distinguished Fellow (FDRT) for her accomplishments within the field of recreational therapy (RT). Dr. Craig’s mixed methods research focuses on the impact of RT interventions, adaptive sports, and health promotion programs on health and quality of life outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Her research also examines ways in which pedagogy, fieldwork education, and curriculum influence student learning and development in professional preparation programs. Dr. Craig’s work has been widely published in top journals, and she has presented extensively at national, regional, and local professional and research conferences, symposia, and seminars. Dr. Craig is actively engaged in ATRA, NART, and the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Dr. Craig collaborates on research, evaluation, and policy initiatives with colleagues in RT, recreation and leisure studies, adaptive sport and physical activity, public health, and military and veteran health. Dr. Craig’s work enhances the role of recreation, RT, adaptive sport and physical activity in public health and community development.