"Assistant Professor - Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy"

Job Details

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title: Assistant Professor - Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy

Job Category: Faculty

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Associate Professor

Job Duties:

The Department of Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is seeking applicants for an academic year (9-month) tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with the start date of August 2026. Come join a community of teacher/scholars committed to student success. We encourage applications from candidates with expertise in Recreational Therapy and a focus in one or more of the following teaching areas are strongly encouraged to apply: Research methods and program evaluation, community-engaged learning, leisure and well-being general education, pediatric and youth populations, and/or physical medicine and rehab.

Applications received prior to the first review date will receive full consideration, and the search will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Under general supervision of the department chair, successful candidates will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses (if applicable) and advising students. In addition to preparing for and holding classes, teaching involves maintaining currency in the content area related to the teaching assignment, evaluating students’ work, assessing student outcomes, providing regular and substantive feedback on student work, maintaining appropriate records, and holding office hours. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active, on-going program of scholarship appropriate to their discipline. In addition, faculty provide service to the department, college, university, community and/or professional organizations. Other duties may be assigned by the chair or dean.

The College of Science & Health (CSH) is the largest academic unit at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, bringing together diverse disciplines across the natural, physical, computational, and health sciences. Home to 11 academic departments and nationally recognized professional programs, CSH is known for its strong tradition of faculty mentorship, hands-on undergraduate research, and graduate education that prepares students for leadership in science, healthcare, and industry. Faculty and students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities such as the Prairie Springs Science Center and the Health Science Center, which support innovative teaching, collaborative research, and community engagement. The college also hosts interdisciplinary centers and institutes that connect scholarship with real-world challenges, ranging from river studies to disability health. With robust instrumentation, collaborative partnerships—including ties with the Mayo Clinic Health System—and potential start-up support, CSH provides new faculty with an environment that fosters both scholarly excellence and student success.

The review of applications starts on October 31, 2025. Applications received on or before October 31st are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department: Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation or related field. ABD will be considered. The degree must be earned by the end of the first academic year.
• Hold the credential of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
• Evidence of the ability to be an effective instructor.
• Evidence of clear and effective communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience of teaching in higher education.
• Post-secondary teaching experience in higher education
• Show a strong commitment to interprofessional education (IPE) through engagement with health and human services agencies, interdisciplinary institutes/centers/teams, and establishing community partnerships.
• Provide evidence of meaningful scholarship (presentations, publications, history of grant involvement) supported by a focused research agenda that advances the field
• Experience mentoring student leaders (such as through involvement with organizations like an RT Club), preparing students for practice in diverse therapeutic settings, and contributing to student recruitment and outreach efforts.

How to Apply:

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications and teaching philosophy statement)

CV

Reference contact information

Contact Information:

Tara Delong tdelong@uwlax.edu