overview

• Dr. Clifton E. Watts, Jr. is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management at East Carolina University, where he leads programs in Recreational Therapy, Recreation and Park Management, and Sport Management. He provides leadership for undergraduate and graduate education, faculty development, student success initiatives, strategic planning, and community partnerships that advance the department's mission and regional impact.
  Dr. Watts earned his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and has built a career spanning higher education, applied research, community engagement, and professional practice. Prior to joining East Carolina University, he held faculty and research positions at Texas A&;M University and Education Development Center, Inc., contributing to projects focused on youth development, community health, violence prevention, and program evaluation.
  His scholarship and community-engaged work center on understanding how recreation, leisure, sport, and community-based programs contribute to individual and community well-being. Much of his research stems from the evaluation of programs serving youth, including initiatives designed to promote school engagement, prevent school dropout, and improve health and wellness outcomes for children and families. Working closely with communities throughout eastern North Carolina, Dr. Watts has helped secure funding, implement programs, and evaluate their effectiveness.
  A dedicated mentor, Dr. Watts has supervised numerous graduate theses and applied research projects examining factors that influence participation, engagement, and positive outcomes among program participants. These projects provide students with meaningful field-based research experiences while addressing community needs.
  Dr. Watts has served on the editorial boards of Leisure Sciences and the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, was a special issue editor for the World Leisure Journal, and has reviewed manuscripts for numerous academic journals. He currently serves as a council member for the National Environmental and Recreation Research Association (NERRA). In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, fishing, and playing guitar.