Andrew J. Mowen, Ph.D. - Dr. Mowen is a Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at The Pennsylvania State University. He began his career as the Manager of Research and Program Evaluation at Cleveland Metroparks. His work focuses on the contribution of parks and protected areas in shaping a range of individual and community benefits at the local, state, and national level. Dr. Mowen was lead investigator for NRPA's nationwide study of Americans' use and perceptions of local parks and recreation and was lead researcher for Pennsylvania's awarding winning 2014-2019 outdoor recreation plan. Dr. Mowen's current projects assess the impact of urban park revitalization projects on health and community cohesion (Philadelphia's Reimagining the Civic Commons) and local officials' perceptions of park and recreation services (NRPA's national study of local officials). Dr. Mowen serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration and is an advisory member to the United States National Physical Activity Plan. [current as of September 2017]