Stephanie West, PhD., graduated from Auburn University in 1990, completed her Master of Science degree in1993 with a major in Recreation Management from Georgia Southern University, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2004.
Prior to earning her PhD, Stephanie worked full-time in campus recreation at University of North Florida and then Texas A&M University. Her academic appointments have included 17 years on the Recreation Management faculty at Appalachian State University and, after three years as Director of the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management, she is now a faculty member in Sport and Recreation Management.
She has contributed over 100 articles and presentations in national and international journals and conferences. She has led national and state professional associations, as well as university committees and boards, and been elected as a Fellow in the Academy of Leisure Sciences.
She received a Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and a University Service Award from Appalachian State University and was recognized by the College of Health Sciences there with a Research Award. Dr. West’s scholarly focus has been on producing research which can be used by park and recreation professionals to best promote physical activity. More recently, her research on older adults led to the honor of being asked to give the National Recreation Park Association’s 2025 George Butler Lecture at their annual conference.
Stephanie also plays an active role in her community, serving on their park and recreation advisory boards, including chairing one and writing a funded grant on their behalf, advising recreation construction projects, conducting needs assessments, and co-authoring master plans. She enjoys traveling, biking, and spending time with her friends, partner and their cats, and has twice (2014, 2024) ridden her bicycle across the country.