Dr. Deb Jordan is a professor and Department Chair in the Recreation and Leisure Studies program at East Carolina University. She received her degrees from Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania, Western Illinois University, and Indiana University. Deb is an active author having written three textbooks, which are all in multiple editions (leadership, programming, and an introduction to leisure), over 40 articles and book chapters, and more than 30 technical research reports. a professor and Department Chair in the Recreation and Leisure Studies program at East Carolina University. She received her degrees from Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania, Western Illinois University, and Indiana University. Deb is an active author having written three textbooks, which are all in multiple editions (leadership, programming, and an introduction to leisure), over 40 articles and book chapters, and more than 30 technical research reports.
With experience as a park naturalist, community parks and recreation supervisor, camp director, outdoor leader, and quite a bit of international travel, Deb brings a breadth of experience to what she teaches and writes. Over the past ten years Deb has been heavily involved in leadership development and comprehensive planning for parks.
Currently, Deb is actively engaged with parks and recreation agencies and departments providing expertise with needs assessments, evaluations, and long range planning efforts. In addition, Deb has given more than 150 presentations and workshops across the United States and internationally. Topics include leadership development, ethics, diversity and inclusion, programming, evaluation, and risk management.
Deb currently serves on the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Council on Accreditation for Recreation, Parks, Tourism, and Related Professions, as Past-Chair of the NRPA Diversity Committee, and is a member of the NRPA Education, Training, and Professional Development Advisory Committee. In addition, having recently moved to North Carolina Deb is becoming increasingly involved in the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association.
Deb’s Specializations and Expertise
- Evaluation and assessment, outcomes measurement
- Diversity issues in parks and recreation
- Leisure behavior in parks, visitor assessments
- Leadership development, staff training, ethics
[updated 11/11]