overview

• Dr. Clifton Watts is the Chair of the Department of Recreation Sciences whose programs include, Recreational Therapy, Recreation and Park Management, and Sport Management. Dr. Watts' research often emanates from evaluations of programs that serve youth. These include intervention initiatives to prevent school dropout and promote school engagement, and community-based services related to health and wellness promotion for children and families. Dr. Watts has worked closely with communities in eastern NC to fund, implement, and evaluate these projects. He has supervised student theses that examine processes impacting participation, engagement, and positive outcomes in program participants. These applied projects offer field-based research experiences for students, and provide a unique setting to relate material learned through classes. Dr. Watts has served on the editorial boards for Leisure Sciences and the Journal of Park and Recreation administration, a special issue editor for the World Leisure Journal, and an ad hoc reviewer for several other academic journals. He is currently a council member for the National Environment and Recreation Research Association (NERRA). In his leisure, Dr. Watts enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fishing, and playing guitar.