Program Faculty

Dr. Natalia Buta Lowe

Chair and Professor, Department of Recreation and Parks Management

Office: Education and Health Sciences Center Room 461
Telephone:301.687.4458
Email: nbuta@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

University of Florida, Ph.D. Natural Resources Recreation
Dr. Buta's CV

Photos and Additional Information
Experience and Areas of Expertise in the Field:
- Coordinator, FSU Graduate and Undergraduate Recreation and Parks Management Programs
- Conducted extensive research work in various settings focusing on natural resource recreation planning and management, including studies at Retezat National Park in Romania and El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.
- Extensive experience working with various non-profit organizations (e.g. Romanian Scout Organization, Multiple Sclerosis Organization, Habitat for Humanity, Home Ground, Evergreen Heritage Center).
- Collaborated on various projects with the recreation and parks department for the City of Frostburg and the City of Cumberland. Served on the Advisory Board for the Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department and Savage River State Forest, MD.
- Experience in marketing, provided consulting services for two ecotourism agencies in Romania.
- Graduate Assistant at the University of Florida and Central Michigan University.
Areas of Interest:

Outdoor recreation and community and ecological well-being; management of visitors, concessionaires, and tourism in parks and protected areas; community engagement in natural resource planning and management; marketing of ecotourism and nature-based tourism destinations.

Focus Areas:

Community Recreation, Natural Resources Recreation Planning and Management, and Ecotourism.

Course(s) Taught in the Graduate Program:

RECR 681- Research Methods and Evaluation in RPSM
RECR 683- Thesis/Project Preparation and Grant Writing in RPSM
RECR 700 - Research Project in RPSM
RECR 710 - Thesis in RPSM

Personal Hobbies:

Hiking, biking, kayaking, and traveling.

Joined the graduate program in 2012

Dr. Diane Blankenship

Emeritus Professor and Adjunct II Faculty, Department of Recreation and Parks Management

Email: dblankenship@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Temple University, Ed.D. Sport and Recreation Management
Dr. Blankenship's CV

Photos and Additional Information
Experience and Areas of Expertise in the Field:
- Emeritus Professor of Recreation and Parks Management at FSU
- Began career with Girl Scouts as a water front staff member.
- Attended Radford University for undergraduate in Recreation.
- Several years later earned a Master's Degree in Recreation and Leisure Services.
- Worked as a recreation therapist with people who had developmental disabilities and as Professional Boy Scout in the Washington, DC beltway communities.
- Worked 9 years for the Department of the Army in Germany and Virginia running recreation centers and outdoor recreation programs.
Areas of Interest:

Extensive experience with military recreation, Department of Army International experience in the field of recreation, Europe and Germany experience in the field as a certified recreation therapist, Certified park and recreation professional for over 20 years.

Focus Areas:

Special Events, Planning, Service Learning, Research and Leadership.

Course(s) Taught in the Graduate Program:

RECR 611- Concepts and Foundations of Leisure

Personal Hobbies:

Skiing, hiking, knitting, and reading

Joined the graduate program in 2014

Dr. Martin Barrett

Assistant Professor, Department of Recreation and Parks Management

Office: Education and Health Sciences Center 454
Telephone: 301.687.4475
Email: mbarrett@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

North Carolina State University, Ph.D. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Dr. Barrett's CV

Photos and Additional Information
Experience and Areas of Expertise in the Field:
- Assistant Professor of Sport Management at FSU
- Published research on sport and (environmental) sustainability in a range of peer-reviewed journals including Sustainability, Journal of Applied Sport Management, and Event Management.
- Prior to FSU, served as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at North Carolina State University in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.
- Worked for over 10 years in sport and physical activity development in England and Wales, including the positions of Sport and Physical Activity Relationship Manager for Trafford Council, Senior Regional Officer for Sport Wales, and Sport Development Manager for Lillehshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre.
Areas of Interest:

Sport and social change; sport and sustainability; consumer behavior in sport; leisure behavior of immigrant populations.

Focus Areas:

Sport and social change; consumer behavior in sport; sport and sustainability.

Course(s) Taught in the Graduate Program:

PHEC 520- Sports Law and Ethics RECR 600- Foundations of Sport Management
RECR 603- Facilities Planning and Management RECR 655- Current Management Issues in RPM

Personal Hobbies:

Playing and watching sports (cricket, golf, football, American football, basketball), and traveling with my family.

Joined the graduate program in 2019

Dr. Curtis Clemens

Assistant Professor, Department of Recreation and Parks Management

Office: Education and Health Sciences Center 419
Telephone: 301.687.3205

Email: cbclemens@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Oklahoma State University, Ph.D. Health, Leisure, and Human Performance; Columbia College, Master Degree, Divergent Learning; Winona State University, Bachelors Degree, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Dr. Clemens CV

- Photos and Additional Information
  Experience and Areas of Expertise in the Field
  - Assistant Professor in Recreation and Parks Management at Frostburg State University
  - Initiated career by working with incarcerated teens, utilizing outdoor education for positive community reintegration.
  - Nearly two decades of experience facilitating, training, and inspecting high and low-rope programming and facilities.
  - Former Assistant Director of adventure-based programming, leading outdoor adventures and expeditions for various age groups.
  - Level II Leave No Trace trainer, First Aid/CPR/AED trainer, and Wilderness and Remote First Aid trainer.
  Areas of Interest
  
  Outdoor recreational conflict and crowding management, Outdoor education and recreational programming, Team building and group initiatives.
  
  Areas of Focus
  Recreational Programming, Recreational Leadership, Interpretive Programming.
Dr. Tinelle Bustam

Adjunct Faculty

Email: tbustam@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

University of Florida, Ph.D. Natural Resources Recreation
Dr. Bustam's CV
- Photos and Additional Information
  Experience and Areas of Expertise in the Field:
  - Assistant Director, Recreation, Tourism, and Public Services, USDA Forest Service, National Office, Washington D.C.
  - District Ranger, USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Republic Ranger District, WA.
  - Past positions with the USDA Forest Service include Forest Public Services Staff Officer, El Yunque National Forest, PR, District Ranger (detail), Los Padres National Forest, CA, Forest Recreation Program Manager, Six Rivers National Forest, CA, and District Recreation and Lands Staff Officer, Lassen National Forest, CA.
  - Instructed undergraduate courses at the University of Florida.
  - Served as the Recreation Coordinator for the city of Concord, NH.
  - Worked as a residential administrator for Abrio Youth and Family Services, AZ.
  Focus Areas:
  
  Recreation Planning and Management, Ecotourism, Partnerships and Leadership.
  
  Course(s) Taught in the Graduate Program:
  
  RECR 651- Organizational Behavior and Leadership in RPM
  
  Personal Hobbies:
  
  White-water paddling, skiing, and traveling with my husband.
  
  Joined the graduate program in 2014