Meet our Students
Samantha G., Frederick, Maryland
Class of 2017
Work experiences include:
Congressional Fitness Club, Frederick, MD
C & O Canal, MD
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"To have the ability to work full-time and work towards completing my Master's."
Reflections on FSU's RPM Masters Program:
"I have enjoyed "virtually 'meeting' the other members of my cohort and learning about the organizations they work for."
Diana E., Wasilla, Alaska
Class of 2015
Work experiences include:
Curt Gowdy State Park, Cheyenne, WY
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MD
Little Island Park, Virginia Beach, VA
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"I chose the FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program because it is flexible with my schedule. The program has allowed me to move across the country and work in different job capacities while still working to obtain a Master's degree."
Reflections on FSU's RPM Masters Program:
"This program has helped me understand the field of Recreation and Parks on a deeper level; it has challenged me to think and has broadened my network of knowledge through input from students and professionals working in Recreation and Parks agencies from all over the country."
Carolyn R., Annapolis, Maryland
Class of 2015
Work experiences include:
Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, MD
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"I realized that in order to continue moving forward in this field it was important for me to gain more education and experience in the parks arena. Getting a Master's degree in Recreation and Parks seemed like the smartest move. The program offered by Frostburg was very appealing since it was entirely online."
"It is a challenging program, but the support of the staff and the cohort were amazing and always very helpful, that has been my favorite part of the program."
Kevin L., Salt Lake City, Utah
Class of 2014
Work experiences include:
NOLS instructor, WY
Experiential Educator at the Oakley School, UT
AIARE Level I Avalanche Instructor, CO
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"Having the opportunity to get my graduate degree and not have to make dramatic changes to my life to fit school into it."
"It has already opened up my eyes to the big pictures of the different organizations that I have worked under and allowed me to be a stronger employee at the my position now."
Eva M., Miami, Florida
Class of 2014
Work experiences include:
Green Cay Nature Center, FL
Jekyll Island 4-H Center, GA
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"One of my friends enrolled in this online program in the Fall of 2011 and suggested I check it out. I thought it was a great way to go back to school while continuing to work. I was also interested in working on projects that would be valuable at my current workplace."
"So far I have been able to identify problem areas within my current organization. I am going to make it a priority to revise our Operating Procedures at my nature center and do an overhaul on our signage to make them more ADA compliant."
Joshua B, Severna Park, Maryland
Work experiences include:
NorthBay Environmental Education Center, North East, MD
Hebei Finance University, Baoding China
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"I selected this program because it allowed me to pursue the next step in a career path which I am passionate about without the constraints of location. I completed four of the five semesters while living in China."
"This program has helped me to gain insights into the managerial side of the field and equipped me with the knowledge necessary for tackling the next career challenges. It has also helped me to focus on the specific avenues within Parks and Recreation in which I am most interested."
James S, Westminster, Maryland
Work experiences include:
2008-2011 Naturebridge, Sausalito, CA. position: Field Science Educator/Campus Coordinator
2012-present University of Maryland Extension, Carroll County, MD. position: Educator, 4-H Environmental Science
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"The online format allows me to work at my own pace and continue to work full-time. The program will allow me to expand on my environmental education background and provide practical skills that will make me better in my current position and possibly open up some career paths in the future."
Reflections on FSU's RPM Masters Program:
"After one course, I already have a better understanding of my own organization. I have also realized the larger social implications of the work that is done in the recreation and leisure field. The program also offers an opportunity to learn from other students with different backgrounds."
Jessica G, Belcamp, Maryland
Work experiences include:
Oregon Ridge Nature Center, MD
Irvine Nature Center, MD
NorthBay Environmental Learning Center, MD
Why did you select the online FSU Recreation and Parks Management Program?
"I felt that this graduate degree in the Recreation and Parks field would go hand in a hand with my education and professional experience. I also thought that it would fit well for someone working full-time in the field and would provide me with the necessary tools to become an effective manager in this dynamic field. Becoming a manager in this field will also give me the opportunity to grow, train and serve as a mentor to new individuals entering into their careers."
Reflections on FSU's RPM Masters Program:
"A career goal of mine has always been to give back to local communities and regions through education to help make the environment a better place to be in. This program has offered me knowledge that has allowed me to further my career goals of giving back to local communities, promoting the outdoors and further the field of environmental education. This program has provided me with the skills that are necessary to reach this next level in my career field. As a field educator I get the opportunity to work with and teach a variety of individuals. Utilizing the experience I have gained working as a field educator, my past academic experience and this program I feel that I will be put in the position to make my career goals more attainable and have be able to reach out to a greater number of people at different levels in the Recreation & Parks field."