I started my professorial career at Eastern Kentucky University in the Recreation and Park Administration Department. During my time there I was responsible for teaching four classes a semester, and often voluntarily taught courses during the summer. I was able to hone my teaching skills through a tremendous amount of teaching, and always found ways to get the students out into the field when possible. From weekend backpacking trips focused on Leave No Trace Principles, to half-hour drives to local nature centers, I strived to provide students with hands-on experiences and opportunities to connect with professionals in the field. I also offered 2-3 week field courses during the summer, taking students to national parks, national forests, and national wildlife reserves from Kentucky to Florida. I always included a service component in these trips in hopes of instilling in students the value of a servant leader perspective to carry on into their careers. These efforts were rewarded with the College of Health Sciences Teacher of the Year, and the Recreation and Park Administration Teacher of the Year awards. I continue to provide these types of opportunities for students, and have expanded them to offer more types of opportunities related to research. During my time at Kansas State University (KSU), I actively engaged undergraduate and graduate students in research in the Park Management and Conservation program at KSU. As part of the Applied Park Science Lab, students have participated in projects at Grand Canyon National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Katmai National Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, parks in the National Capital Area of Washington D.C., amongst others. I created an undergraduate research course to ensure that students get credit for their research efforts, and also provide the students an opportunity to actively reflect on the value of these types of experiences. Graduate students also gain valuable experience by leading a team, and managing an often complex and ever-changing project. I truly enjoys seeing the students’ growth through these hands-on, field-based experiences, and hope that upon their entry into the park and protected are workforce, students can draw upon all that they have learned.I am continuing this work at the University of Tennessee through the growth of the Outdoor Recreation and Park Management concentration in the Forestry program and the creation of the Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Lab.