Rate My Professor Jon McChesney

Dr. Jon McChesney serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise, and Sport Science in the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University, where he also acts as Graduate Coordinator. His office is located in Combs 208, with contact available at (859) 622-1833. Under his leadership, the department houses the Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park Administration program, accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions since 1980. This program features concentrations in Tourism and Resort Recreation, Recreation Management and Event Planning, Recreation Therapy, and Outdoor Recreation & Natural Resources Management. Students demonstrate core competencies through research presentations at professional conferences, event management such as the Halloween Hoedown, and senior internships totaling thousands of hours with high evaluation scores.

Dr. McChesney's research interests encompass job satisfaction and burnout in recreation professionals, as well as evolving trends in recreation volunteerism. He co-authored 'Contemporary Trends in Recreation Volunteerism' with Matt J. Young, published in 2013 in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, which examines shifts in volunteerism due to modern lifestyles, time constraints, and technology, providing strategies for recreation providers to engage volunteers effectively. He has also contributed to studies on doctoral students in recreation, park, tourism, and leisure studies. In 2021, Dr. McChesney was honored as a Fellow by the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society, recognizing his professional impact. He mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students on research projects addressing leadership in recreation, workplace stress reduction, tourism development, work ethic, and job disengagement. Additionally, he contributes to university governance through participation in policy drafting teams and representation in Academic Affairs, reflecting his extensive career commitment to advancing recreation and park administration education and practice at Eastern Kentucky University.