Dr. Jim Newman

Research Interests

• Access to outdoor recreation for persons with disabilities.
  

Education

• Ph.D., Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies; University of Minnesota, 2001
  
  • Dissertation: The influence of participation in an outdoor adventure program on the social and leisure functioning of adults with cognitive disabilities
  • Coursework in research, outdoor education, and therapeutic recreation, as well as courses directly related to teaching and faculty development
• M.A., Recreation; University of Northern Colorado, 1997
  
  • Project: Site design plan for U.S.D.A. Forest Service Crow Valley Recreation Area Farm Museum
  • Coursework in recreation, parks administration, evaluation and design of programs, and recreation personnel management
• B.S., Therapeutic Recreation; University of Northern Colorado, 1995. Coursework:
  • RCPT 470 - Fieldwork in Recreation, Parks and Tourism
  • RCPT 417 - Seminar in Recreation: Sustainable Tourism and It’s Affect on Native Populations and Ecosystems – Study abroad in Peru
  • RCPT 445 - Programming and Evaluation in Therapeutic Recreation
  • RCPT 432 - Research and Technology Applications in RCPT
  • RCPT 342 - Application of Programs in Therapeutic Recreation Intervention
  • RCPT 344 - Programming Applications in Therapeutic Recreation
  • RCPT 340 - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Service
  • RCPT 319 - Introduction to Inclusive Recreation Service
  • RCPT 313 - Program Planning in Recreation Parks and Tourism
  • RCPT 210 - Introduction to Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
  • RCPT 200 - Leisure in a Contemporary Society 

Research Experience

• Radford University Recreation Therapy Services, Radford University (2004 – Present)
• Established a clinical recreation therapy service laboratory that provides students with the opportunity to interact with a variety of client populations in the New River Valley area of SW Virginia.  This laboratory also provides the foundational infrastructure for a variety of research projects involving clients with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and severe multiple disabilities.  Most recent research project has been investigations into the efficacy of adventure therapy programs on the communication, solution forming, and self-assessment skills of individuals with traumatic brain injury.  The most recent infrastructure-building project was the inclusion of the RU Gone Fishin’! adapted fishing program which will launched summer of 2007 and acquired financial support exceeding $125,000.
  

Scholarly Activity

• Schepisi, I., & Newman, J.  (2011, September).  Motivation For the Fight: Two cases of Recreation Therapy Intervention in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Presentation at American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference: Research Institute. Indianapolis, IN.
• Schepisi, I., & Newman, J.  (2011, September).  Motivation For the Fight: Two cases of Recreation Therapy Intervention in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Presentation to the Board of Directors, Highland Ridge Rehabilitation Center.  Dublin, VA.
• Developing community partnerships in recreation therapy: A case study view - Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Annual Conference, Roanoke VA, 2009, James Newman
• The influence of an 8-week Adventure Therapy Program for TBI survivors and their caregiver providers.  (2009) The American Journal of Recreation Therapy.  James Newman & Elizabeth Newstadt.
• Poster Session:  The influence of an 8-week Adventure Therapy Program for TBI survivors and their caregiver providers.  (2008) Radford University Honors Academy.  Elizabeth Newstadt & James Newman
• Poster Session:  RU Gone Fishin’ Adaptive Fishing Program.  (2007) National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Congress.  James Newman.
• Gone Fishin’! Adaptive Fishing Program for Elderly Stroke Survivors Grant Proposal to the Carlot Fund.  James Newman and Joshua Bennett – Funded $2942.00
• Adaptive Fishing Programs for Persons with Severe Multiple Disabilities. - Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Annual Conference, Virginia Beach VA, 2007, James Newman
• Gone Fishin’!  Adaptive Fishing Program.  Poster Session, National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Congress, 2007.  James Newman
• Gone Fishin’!:  Adaptive Fishing Program for Head and Spinal Cord Injury Survivors Grant Proposal to  the Jessie Ball DuPont Foundation.  James Newman – Funded $124,000

Professional Involvement

• Associate Editor, American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Journal
• American Journal of Recreation Therapy, Editorial Review Board
  

Honors and Awards

• Nominated for Virginia Recreation and Parks Association Executive Board (2008)
• Nominated as Donald N. Dedmon Distinguished Teaching Professor (2007)
• Waldron Clinical Practice Fellowship (2004)
  

Academic Service

• Radford University Faculty Senator (2011-13)
• Radford University Campus Environment Committee Chair (2013-14)
• Department of Recreation Parks and Tourism Assessment Coordinator (2010-pr.)
• Radford University, Recreation Therapy Program Coordinator (2005-pr.)
• Radford University Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee (2008-09)
  

Community Service

• Grant Consultant and Therapeutic Riding Volunteer, Healing Strides of Virginia (2013-pr.)
  
• Liaison Officer, Virginia Tech State Designated Shelter, Virginia Department of Human Services (2011-pr.)
  
• Federal Emergency Management Administration trained Emergency Management Specialist (2010-pr.)
• CPT, 4th Regiment Operations Officer (S3), Virginia Defense Force, Virginia Department of Military Affairs (2013-pr.)
  
• NeuroRestorative Health Systems Recreation Therapy Consultant (2009-pr.)
  

Certifications

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation  Certification
• Senior Military Emergency Management Specialist, State Guard Association of the United States
  
• Federal Emergency Management Agency, Professional Development Series Certificate