The RCLS faculty are a student-oriented, professionally-involved, and award-winning group of professionals who share a common goal—to provide RCLS students with the best educational experience possible to ready them for the workforce of tomorrow. You will find these faculty members highly committed to students, the craft of teaching, and remaining on the cutting edge of the profession through scholarship and service. We encourage you to get to know the faculty—they enjoy students and helping others to succeed. Students, introduce yourself to your instructors, meet with them during office hours, between classes, and at special events. Help them to help you become the best you can be.
As you can see from the list of awards and honors, faculty have been recognized for their work and achievements at the local, state, regional, and national levels. In addition, they have been recognized for their teaching, scholarship, and service—this is evidence of well-balanced faculty members who are committed to working with students in all areas of professional growth and development.
Nelson Cooper, Associate Professor
2011: Selected and inducted as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
2009: Selected to attend the ECU Chancellor's Leadership Academy
2009: Nominated for the UNC Board of Governor's Distinguished Professor for Teaching
2008: Recipient of the HHP Scholar-Teacher Award
2007: Recipient of a Special Citation Award, North Carolina Recreation and Park Association
2007: Nominee and Finalist for University Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching, ECU
2007: Nominee for the HHP Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award, ECU
2006: Recipient of the RCLS Undergraduate Student Society Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Award
2004: Recipient of the Excellence in Service Award, ECU Volunteer Center
2003: Recipient of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators Leadership for the Future Award
Deb Jordan, Professor
2012: Nominated for the National Literary Award, National Recreation and Park Association
2012: Nominated for the Distinguished Colleague Award, Education Network NRPA
2011: Elected as a Fellow of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration
2010: Nominated for the Society for Park and Recreation Educators Distinguished Colleague Award
2010: Nominated for the National Literary Award, National Recreation and Park Association
2010: Nominated for membership as a Fellow in the Academy for Park and Recreation Administration
2008: Received National Award for Excellence from the National Park Service
2007: Recipient of a Presidential Citation, Society for Parks and Recreation Educators
2007: Elected as a Fellow to the Academy of Leisure Sciences
2007: Nominated for the J.B. Nash Award for outstanding contributions to the field of outdoor education American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
2003: Named the Gold Metcalf Lecturer for work done in the field of outdoor recreation leadership SUNY Cortland.
Carol Kline, Assistant Professor
2011: Selected for participation in the ECU Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy
2011: Nominated for the Kaufman Junior Faculty Fellowship in Entrepreneurship Research
2011: Recipient of the Best Paper at the Conference Travel and Tourism Research Association Conference
2011: Received the HHP Teacher-Scholar Award
David Loy, Associate Professor
2011: David Loy Spirit Award named for an ECHA Member for loyalty and spirit within the organization, Eastern Carolina Hockey Association
2011: Recipient of the HHP Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award 2011
2011: Selected as a participant in the Chancellor's Leadership Academy East Carolina University
2011: Nominated for HHP Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award
2009: Nominated for HHP Teacher-Scholar Award
2008: Recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions and Support of Adapted Sports in Greenville and Pitt County
2007: Recipient of the Presidential Award, North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association
2007: Nominated for HHP Teacher of the Year Award
2007: Nominated for the HHP Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award
2006: Recipient of the Ann James Award for Best Presentation at the Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium
2005: Recipient of the ECU Outstanding Professor, Department for Disability Support Services
2005: Nominated for HHP Researcher of the Year Award
2005: Nominated for HHP Teacher-Scholar of the Year Award
2005: Nominated for HHP Teacher of the Year Award
2003: Nominated for HHP Teacher of the Year Award
Susan McGhee, Associate Professor
2012: Selected to national honor society recognizing achievement in academic excellence, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
2009: Nominated for the HHP Outstanding Professional Service Award
2008: Recipient of the 25 year Certificate of Service to the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association
2006: Recipient of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association Presidential Award
2006: Recipient of the North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association Presidential Award
Carmen Russoniello, Professor
2012: Recipient of the HHP Award for Outstanding Professional Service
2011: Received the HHP Award for Outstanding Researcher
2011: Recipient of the Accelerator Award, ECU Office of Sponsored Programs
2010: Recipient of ECU's first Scholarship of Engagement Award
2010: Nominated for the Purpose Award
2008: Recipient of the Research and Creativity Award, ECU Division of Research and Graduate Studies
2008: Nominated for the HHP Teacher-Scholar Award
2007: Recipient of an ECU Teaching Grant
2003: Recognized for Board Service to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association
2003: Recipient of the Best Professional Presentation Southeast Therapeutic Recreation
2002: Citation for commitment and service to the children of Pattillo A+ Elementary School.
1991: Recognized for Board Service to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association
1990: Recognized for Board Service to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Paige Schneider, Assistant Professor
2006: Recipient of the Best Illustrated Paper Award, Travel and Tourism Research Association.
Kindal Shores, Associate Professor
2012: Nominated as a Fellow of the ECU Honors College
2012: Recipient of the HHP Outstanding Researcher Award
2012: Nominee for the HHP Outstanding Professional Service Award
2011: Nominee for the Board of Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
2010: Recipient of ECU Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching
2010: Recipient of the HHP Scholar-Teacher Award
2010: Recipient of the RCLS Graduate Society Outstanding Graduate Faculty
2009: Finalist ECU Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching
2006: 1st Place: Parks and Public Health New Investigator Award, Cooper Institute
2005: Recipient of the Leader for the Future Award, Society of Park and Recreation Educators
2004: Recipient of the Board of Regents Fellow Texas A&M University
2003: Recipient of the Outstanding Student Scholar Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute
2002: Recipient of the Lucille and Derby Dustin Future Scholar Academy of Leisure Sciences
2001: Nominee and semi-finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship
Thom Skalko, Professor
2011: Recipient of the HHP Outstanding Professional Service Award
2010: Recipient of the Presidential Award for Service to the Recreational Therapy profession, American Therapeutic Recreation Association
2008: Recipient of the Professional service award for work in federal public policy for the profession, American Therapeutic Recreation Association
2008: Recipient of the Continuing service award to the National Association for Underwater Instructors National Association of Underwater Instructors
2007: Recipient of the Ray West Distinguished Member Award, North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association.
2006: Recipient of the Continuous Service Award National Association of Underwater Instructors
2006: Recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member ECU, Department of RCLS
2005: Recipient of the Legislative Advocacy Award North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association
2002: Recipient of the President's Award Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium
2002: Recipient of the Ann James Outstanding Presentation Award Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium, Inc.
2002: Recipient of the Outstanding Contributions to Diving National Association of Underwater Instructors
1997: Recipient of the Chairman's Award Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium
1994: Recipient of the Distinguished Fellow Award, American Therapeutic Recreation Association
1992: Recipient of the Award of Service American Therapeutic Recreation Association
1991: Recipient of the Chairman's Award Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium
1990: Recipient of the Board Member at Large Award of Commendation, American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Cheryl Stevens, Professor
2012: Nominated for the National Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Teaching Award
2004: Recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award College of Health and Human Performance
2003: Recipient of the Innovation in Teaching Award, Society for Parks and Recreation Educators
2003: Recipient of the Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award, UNC Board of Governors
2002: Recipient of the ECU Award for Outstanding Teaching
Wendy Whisner, Teaching Instructor
2012: Recipient of the Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award
2011: Recipient of the Ray Martinez Teaching Excellence Award
2010: Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year RCLS Undergraduate Student Society
2010: Recipient of ECU Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching
2009: Finalist for the ECU Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching
2008: Nominated for the ECU Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching
2007: Outstanding Faculty Member of the YearRCLS Undergraduate Student Society
2004: Certificate of Recognition, North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association
Richard Williams, Associate Professor
2010: Nominated for the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award
2010: Selected as participant of the ECU Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy
2009: RCLS Graduate Society Outstanding Faculty Award, RCLS Graduate Student Society
2007: President's Award North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association
