Terry Robertson

Terry Robertson Ph.D. has been the Leisure Studies Department Chair at Long Beach State (2014-FALL 2026). In said role, he oversaw all fiscal, personnel, resources and curriculum within the department. He is an experienced educator, academic leader and a former practitioner. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Robertson worked professionally in a variety of settings (mental health, substance abuse, senior services, and community based special recreation <inclusive and clinical> programs and services). Dr. Robertson has served on many local, state, national, and international boards and commissions. He also has written many grants, published numerous articles, book chapters, a textbook, research monographs, technical reports and training program materials, and grants. Dr. Robertson was also recognized in 2019 by CPRS a 做厙TVPark and Recreation Society Award of Excellence for Research." He is also currently serving on the Board of Directors for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (). He is a Christian, so also been active in the churches, and communities that he and his wife have been a part of in each of the States he has worked in Higher education.

University of Utah, Ph.D.

     Major - Recreation and Leisure

     Minor - Special Physical Education

University of Utah, M.S.

     Major - Therapeutic Recreation

     Minor - Media Studies

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.S.

     Major - Education-Physical Education/Recreation

Dr. Robertson has been a recognized researcher, scholar, and sought-after speaker, with over 40 publications and 175 presentations. (Note: this is a list and is not divided into categories <i.e. peer review vs non-peer review>, no impact factors are identified, nor are all the formats <hard copy, electronic, etc.>. Most of the past 25 years, Dr. Robertson has been serving in some form of administration where there was no expectation for original research, so writing has been focused on books, book chapters and grants/contracts. Select examples of textbook contributions (older and newer) below. 

*Long, T., Robertson, T. (available SP 2027) Third edition. Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation, 3rd Edition, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN: 9781492543671

*Robertson, T, Long, T. (new 3rd edition available SP 2027) Co-editor, Recreation Theory eBook, G. Kassing (Ed) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

*Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Fourth Edition, Tapps and Wells (Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN: 9781 492580966   ---Chapter 15 -> *Symonds, M., Beemer, R., and Robertson, T. (2025). Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life, In Introduction to Recreation and Leisure.           

 *Nagata, S., Long, T., Robertson, T., & Symonds, M. (2017). Psychological impact of wheelchair rugby and differences between American and Japanese players. PALAESTRA, 31(3), 44-49.

*Winnick, J., Kasser, S., Horvat, M., and Robertson, T. (2017) Adapted Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Custom eBook: Ouachita Baptist University. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN  9781492563884 

*Kim, K., Robertson, T. and Compton, D. (2012).  Healthy and sustainable communities: A systems approach to increasing human capacities through leisure services The Global Journal of Health and Physical Education Pedagogy 2012, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 113-142.

*Kim, K & Robertson, T. (2012). The World Leisure Commission on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, World Leisure Journal, Taylor & Francis, Routledge, 53(4) pp 81-82 ISSN 0441-9057 (Print), 1607-8055 (Online)

*Robertson, T.P., Symonds, M.L., Muehlenbein, M.P. and Robertson, C. (2012). Health, Fitness, Wellness & Livability. In Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Second Edition, In G. Kassing (Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Pgs. 305-320

*Robertson, T., Muehlenbein, M. and Symonds, M. (2011). The public health imperative: Promoting health and preventing lifestyle-related illness and disease. Healthy Communities Measurement System. Indiana Parks and Recreation Association, Healthy Communities Tool-Kit. Indiana University Press

*Robertson, T. & Hollings, (2010). Mental health services within a comprehensive community care program help the frail elderly. (Alta RN 2010 Jul-Aug;66(4):20-1.

*Long, T. D. and Robertson, T. (2010). Inclusion Concepts, Processes, and Models. In Inclusive recreation. (2010) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

*Green, R., Long, T. D. and Robertson, T. (2010). Inclusive camping. In Inclusive recreation. (2010) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

During his career, Dr. Robertson has received awards and recognitions for research, teaching and service. Some examples provided below.

*CSUL/RLS Department, Teacher of the year 2025, as selected by students in RLS

*做厙TVPark and Recreation Society, Outstanding Research Award

*做厙TVPark and Recreation Society, Recreation Therapy Board, Recreation Therapy Citation Award

*W. James Whyte Visiting Research Fellowship in the College of Business, Education and Laws School of Tourism, Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia

*Outstanding Alumni Award, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (Awarded, 4-19-2013)

*Paleastra Leadership Award, Leadership in Disability Sport, Adaptive Physical Education & Therapeutic Recreation (4 awards in each discipline are recognized once every ten years i.e. 1991, 2001, 2011) Paleastra published (2011) ISSN 8756-5811) Vol 26, No 4, pgs 22-25

*Robert M. Taylor Professional Service Award, Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

*Awarded the 1st ever Terry Robertson Community Service Award Midland Empire Resources for Independent living, St. Joseph, MO

*Distinguished Professor, Northwest Missouri State University, Alumni Association

*Scholar of the Year, Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 

*Outstanding Professional Award 36th Annual Midwest Therapeutic Recreation and Adapted Physical Activity Symposium

*Professional Service Award, President, National Therapeutic Recreation Society

*Leadership Northwest Missouri Graduate/ Invited Keynote Speaker

*Presidential Citation, National Therapeutic Recreation Society

*Certificate of Appreciation Mortar Board, Northwest Missouri State University

*Recreation Teacher of the Year Award, HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University

*Recreation Professional of the Year, Central District Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

*Merit Award/Leisure /Division, Central District Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

*Missouri Governors Award for Teaching Excellence

*Service Award, Expanding Horizons/ Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation

*Teacher of the Year HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University

*Service Award, At-Large Director, National Therapeutic Recreation Society

*Tommy Wilson Award for significant contributions to recreation for individuals with disabilities by the American Association for Leisure and Recreation/AAHPERD.

*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University

*"Outstanding Therapeutic Recreation Professional". Missouri Park and Recreation Association

*Outstanding Presenter Award, Expanding Horizons/Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation, Lake Geneva, WI

*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University

*Honorary Numbskull Award, Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation

*"Teacher of the Year Award" HPERD Department, Northwest Missouri State University

*"Teacher of the Year Award" Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah

*"Nominee and runner up," College of Health, "Teacher of the Year Award", University of Utah

*Leadership Award, TEAM TR (Train, Educate & Advance Minorities, Therapeutic Recreation), University of Utah

*"Gary Ellis Research Award" for Outstanding Dissertation/Research Proposal

*"Citation" for Service to National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS)

*"Graduate Student Representative" for Internal and External Graduate Review, Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah

*"Outstanding Graduate Student," Department of Recreation and Leisure, University of Utah, Doctoral Award

*"Outstanding Community Service Award," Las Vegas Saints-n-Sinners Non-profit philanthropy organization.

*"Rich Boyce Scholarship," Nevada Recreation and Park Society

*"Athletic Scholarship-Wrestling," University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Roberston has been professionally active with professional organizations to assist students, publish and share his research, and contribute to the profession

Current Professional Organization Leadership Roles

American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)

AAPRA Board of Directors 2026- Present

AAPRA Sustainability Task Force 2022-2023                                                                                      

AAPRA By-Laws Committee 2022- Present                                                                                               

AAPRA Research for the Profession Committee 2023 2026 & Present and is the Board Liaison                                                         

AAPRA Research Assistance Committee 2020-2020                                                                              

AAPRA Mentorship Committee 2019-2021, 2023-2026

National Academic Leaders Retreat (NAL-R)

National Academic Leaders Conference/Retreat, (NAL-R), Lead Conference Planner, 2023 and 2024, National Academic Leaders Conference/Retreat, (NAL-R), Planning Team, 2020 and 2021

Current Professional Organization Memberships

American Therapeutic Recreation Association                                      

做厙TVParks and Recreation Society                                                     

National Recreation and Parks Association                                                     

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration                          

The Academy of Leisure Sciences (ALS, soon to be TALS)                         

World Leisure Organization