PERSONAL INFORMATION Residence: 1073 County Road 1200E Tolono, IL 61880 217-351-7266 (home) 217-621-7266 (cell) gower.ryan@gmail.com Dr. Ryan Kyle Gower CURRICULUM VITAE Office: The College of Applied Health Sciences 1206 South Fourth Street; Room 219 George Huff Hall Champaign, IL 61820 217-333-2130 (Phone) 217-244-1935 (Fax) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE July 2013 Present Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Director; Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program The College of Applied Health Sciences Responsible for developing and implementing policy related to undergraduate student affairs, including undergraduate admission and retention, student recruitment, the college Honor s Program, student scholarships and awards, the Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP). Represent the college on campus committees related to undergraduate affairs. Develop and implement policy and budget related to college academic advising staff, undergraduate affairs, and undergraduate activities. Develop and implement policy on undergraduate student petitions, academic integrity and disciplinary issues, and academic eligibility for student athletes. Supervise academic records officer related to grade audit, bronze tablet, unofficial withdrawal reports and various other academic record activities. Assist departmental administrative officers on issues related to adequate undergraduate course availability and scheduling. Implement campus policies related to programs of study, course catalogues and various other university-level activities. Represent the college on various provost appointed and campus committees dealing with undergraduate students and related issues Interact with parents regarding undergraduate student issues. Serve as a resource to departments for curricular and co-curricular development for undergraduate students. Coordinate and provide leadership for AHS convocation and awards programs. Develop programming for incoming students. Develop and implement policy related to the College s Edmund J. James Scholar program. Develop and implement college admission policies for undergraduate students, and develops appropriate reports as part of campus admission and enrollment planning. Represent the college to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine guidelines for freshmen and transfer admission to college majors. Prepare and present information for student recruitment programs
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued) and activities Develop recruitment plans and coordinate efforts to reach out to prospective students. Represents AHS and I-LEAP at university sponsored recruitment trips and at admissions programs and events. Respond to student and parent concerns and questions regarding admissions process. Responsible for strategic planning for undergraduate affairs, including data mining, metrics, and trend analysis for admissions. Supervise the activities of the I-LEAP staff. Participate in I-LEAP instructional activities Recruit prospective off-campus (potential freshman and transfer) students as needed. Develop and implement AHS volunteer tutoring program. Manage budget related to undergraduate affairs and activities. Aug 2008 Dec 2012 Director of Undergraduate Studies Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism Responsible for all administrative aspects related to the undergraduate program including: Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, curriculum revision, outcome assessment and accreditation. June 2007 May 2010 Founding Co-Director Office of Alumni and Career Services Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism Provide leadership and direction for the newly established Office of Alumni and Career Services. Responsibilities include alumnae development, networking, forging partnerships with field related employers, communication of job opportunities to alumni, and coordinating special events and reunions. December 2005 July 2013 Specialized Faculty/Internship Coordinator Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism Responsible for the design and instruction of multiple courses at the graduate and undergraduate level. Serve as the coordinator for the Senior-Level capstone internship experience for all students graduating from the department. Develop partnerships with employers and site preceptors, and serve as the liaison between the department and the profession. Serve on a number of departmental committees including the Faculty Advisory Committee, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Chair), the Online Education Committee, the Head Search Committee, the Departmental Awards Committee, the Brightbill Alumni Award Committee (Chair), and numerous college search and advisory committees. Proficient with Angel, Desire 2 Learn, Compass and Blackboard instructional technologies.
Fall 2003 May 2013 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued) Instructor Bridge Transition Program/Access and Achievement Program College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate instructor for RST 100 (Society and Leisure) and RST 110 (Delivery of Leisure Services). Served as an instructor for students from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds to assist them in developing the skills necessary to excel in post-secondary education. Developed courses with a high-level of student/instructor interaction, incorporating alternative educational pedagogies, and increased emphasis on development of communication and analytical skills. July 1999 December 2005 Academic Advisor/Lecturer College of Applied Health Sciences Responsible for all aspects of academic advising in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. A partial list of duties include: Assessment of students academic preparation and placement into appropriate courses on campus, charting and monitoring student progress toward degree completion, approve or deny applications for transfer or re-admission into the department, provide career and internship counseling to undergraduate students, answer student questions regarding departmental or university resources, review and clear undergraduate degrees upon completion of curriculum, promote the department and its programs at various campus and community events, advise the department and college on issues of accreditation and curriculum revision. Served as the instructor for RST 101 (Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism). Instructed students on issues related to university and department history, campus resources, time management skills, curriculum and graduation requirements, internship and career opportunities, job search strategies, and pursuing graduate school. Served on various departmental, college, state and university committees including the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Campus Career Counsel, the Student Affairs Advisory Panel, and the Departmental Awards Committee. August 1997 July 1999 Teaching Assistant Department of Leisure Studies Served as the teaching assistant for RST 280 (Orientation to Practicum), RST 310 (Administration of Leisure Services) and RST 284 (Practicum). Taught classes, graded papers, and established linkages between the department and professional organizations. Reworked and revised the internship program assignments and reporting schedule. Assisted more than 150 students in finding internships to fulfill their graduation requirements. May 1998 July 1999 Assistant Project Manager Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project Coordinated the Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project s (IRRDP) summer initiatives. Activities included: Hiring Recreation Directors and Youth Recreation Leaders. Planned,
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued) implemented and evaluated the summer training for project staff. Guided Recreation Leaders in the programming of their summer camps and special activities. Evaluated camps for safety and quality of supervision. Worked with local city governments in developing long term goals and objectives for the development of a sustainable recreation plan. Developed marketing and public relation pieces for local television and radio stations promoting the IRRDP and the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Worked closely with several members of the Illinois House of Representatives, philanthropists, and local businesses to procure funding for the program. Summer 1997 Recreation Director Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project Served as the Recreation Director for the city of Edinburg, Illinois. Planned, implemented and evaluated recreational programs and events for 70 children. Supervised three Youth Recreation Leaders, and worked with various business organizations and state agencies to raise more than $5,000 to fund recreational activities for children from financially underprivileged homes. Assisted a rural Midwestern community in developing a grant proposal which resulted in partial financing to purchase a two acre park and new playground equipment. Summers 1994, 1995, 1996 Director & Assistant Director; Summer Camps Champaign Park District Worked in cooperation with three other full-time assistant directors to oversee operation of 12 summer camps at 5 different locations. Responsible for interviewing and hiring, training, and supervising staff of more than 40 part-time counselors. Processed payroll and developed marketing materials to be distributed to parents. Tasked with inventory management and responsible for procurement of materials needed for daily operations. Planned and implemented recreational activities ranging from sport leagues to math marathons for summer campers. EDUCATION Doctor of Philosophy, Recreation, Sport and Tourism Dissertation topic: Internships in Recreation, Sport and Tourism: Exploring student perceptions. Master of Science, Recreation Management Thesis topic: Leisure and recreation in rural settings Bachelor of Science, Leisure Studies Concentration: Program Management
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Member, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Member, Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Member, Resort and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA) Member, National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) Member, International Special Events Society (ISES) Member, National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Member, Illinois Academic Advising Commission (ILLIAC) Life Member, University of Illinois Alumni Association RECOGNITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2007 Recipient of the Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2007 Recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award; College of Applied Health Sciences 2004 Recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award; College of Applied Health Sciences 2002 Recipient of the Association for Sport, Tourism and Recreation (STAR) Faculty Appreciation Award 1999 Recipient of the Master of Science Graduate Student Award 1997 Recipient of the Teaching Assistant of the Year Award 1996 Elected Vice President for the Association for Leisure and Recreation (ALR) 1995 Elected Treasurer for the Association for Leisure and Recreation (ALR) Named to the Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students 2011 Spring RST 110 C Delivery of Leisure Services 2010 Fall RST 100A Society and Leisure RST 100B Society and Leisure RST 110A Delivery of Leisure Services 2010 Spring RST 110C Delivery of Leisure Services 2009 Fall RST 110A&B Delivery of Leisure Services 2009 Spring RST 110 A&B Delivery of Leisure Services RST 100B Society and Leisure 2008 Fall RST 110 A & B Delivery of Leisure Services 2008 Spring RST 110 A & B Delivery of Leisure Services
2007 Fall RST 110 A & B Delivery of Leisure Services 2007 Spring RST 110A & B Delivery of Leisure Services RST 200 Leadership in Leisure Services 2006 Fall RST 100B Society and Leisure RST 110A & B Delivery of Leisure Services 2006 Spring RST 110A & B Delivery of Leisure Services 2005 Fall RST 100 Society and Leisure RST 110A Delivery of Leisure Services 2004 Spring LEIS 100B Society and Leisure 2002 Spring LEIS 199CM Orientation to Leisure Studies 2000 Spring LEIS 199CM Orientation to Leisure Studies CLASSES INSTRUCTED RST 100 Society & Leisure RST 101 Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism RST 110 Delivery of Leisure Services RST 120 Community Recreation RST 140 Nature & American Wilderness RST 199LC Leisure & Cultural Diversity RST 200 Leadership in Leisure Services RST 216 Leisure & Technology RST 217 Public Recreation RST 300 Recreation Programming RST 420 Human Resource Management RST 484 Practicum RST 502 Contemporary Issues in Public Recreation RST 593XM Critical Thinking Capstone RST 594SM Strategic Management RECOGNITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS (continued)
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS Bregel, B., and Gower, R. (2008) Students! Is grad school in your future? Presented at the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. Gower, Ryan K. (2004) Advising students for success; Education and attainment. Presented at the Illinois Academic Advising Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. Gower, Ryan K., and Firkins, Carol A. (2003) Quality advising; foundations for new advisors. Presented at the National Academic Advising Association Annual Conference, Dallas, TX. Gower, Ryan K. (2002) Quality internships for students; What to look for and where to begin. Illinois Academic Advising Association Annual Conference, Bloomington, IL. Gower, Ryan K. (2000) Internships as a developmental tool. Campus Academic Advisory Commission (CAAC), Champaign, IL. Gower, Ryan K., & Brademas, David J. (1999) Internships; The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, Nashville, TN. Gower, Ryan K., & Brademas, David J. (1998) Internships; The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Illinois Park and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. Gower, Ryan K., & Brademas, David J. (1997) The Student Perspective on Internships. National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO. INVITED LECTURES Henderson State University (AR) Building the program at HSU: Strategic alliance opportunities in Clark county. Summer 2011. College of Applied Health Sciences (IL) Educational pedagogies to reach the next generation of college students. Spring 2011. RESEARCH AND CREATIVE EFFORTS Accepted Gower, R., Haupert, C., Haring, D., Hanetho, R. (2005). The keys to internship success; tips for interns from the professionals who hire them. Illinois Parks & Recreation, Nov/Dec 1-3. Gower, R., & Mulvaney, M. (2011). Making the most of your internship: A strategic approach. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing. Funded Gower, R., & Raycraft, M. (2011) Golfworks Illinois: Exploring the effectiveness of youth mentor programs. Submitted to the ILPGA Foundation. Gower, R., & Raycraft, M. (2010) Golfworks Illinois: Gauging the effectiveness of the pilot program. Submitted to the ILPGA Foundation.