Instructor: Designing Parks and Recreation Experiences –  RST 317 (Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023)

Prepared syllabi, lesson plans, and exams.  Graded class quizzes, assignments and group projects. Delivered lectures to undergraduate juniors and seniors on the topics of optional experiences of parks and recreation, as well as the organizational structure and administrative approaches in the public, non-profit, and commercial sectors.  Students learned about strategies for designing optimal experiences in a variety of settings such as camps, aquatics, arts and culture programs, and health and fitness centers.

 

Teaching Assistant: Diversity in Recreation, Sport and Tourism –  RST 370 (Spring 2022, Spring 2023)

Graded class quizzes, assignments and group projects.

 

Instructor: Entrepreneurship – RST 218 (Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Summer Online Course 2012, Fall 2012)

Prepared syllabi, lesson plans, and exams.  Graded class quizzes, assignments and group projects.  Delivered lectures to undergraduate juniors and seniors on the topics of risk, business administration, legal environment, marketing, accounting, human resources, operations management, and supply management.

 

Teaching Assistant: Research Methodology –  RST 370 (Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010)

Graded class quizzes, assignments and group projects.  Taught sections of the course and provided guest lectures on the topics of survey methodology, interview questions, random error and internal validity.

 

Guest Lecturer: Anthropology and Culture in Leisure Services – RST 100 (Fall, 2010)

Guest lectured on the topic of “Anthropology and Culture in Leisure Services.”

 

Related experience: Teaching in the Professoriate –  KIN 565 (Fall, 2010)

Learned about the use of active learning techniques in the classroom and how to lead classroom discussions. As a result of the course, obtained the University of Illinois Certificate in Foundations of Teaching

University of Illinois, Diversity Research Laboratory 

Research Coordinator | January 2024 – Present

“Everybody Moves! Supporting access to Leisure-Time Physical Activity for Individuals with Disability from Ethnic and Racial and Minority Backgrounds”. 

• Worked under the supervision of Dr. Monika Stodolska and Dr. Delphine Labbe.
• Assisted in the development of interview scripts, translation of materials, and recruitment of participants.

 

Research Coordinator |  Winter 2021 – September 2022

“Combating Systemic Racism in Access to Nature, Open Spaces, and Parks and Recreation Resources”.

• Worked under the supervision of Dr. Monika Stodolska and Dr. Kim Shinew
• Assisted in recruiting 400 survey participants and conducted interviews in Spanish and English speaking community members. Assisted with data analysis and final report preparation.

 

Research Coordinator | Spring 2010 – Spring, 2011

“Crime, Physical Activity and Outdoor Recreation among Latino Adolescents” funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.”

• Worked under the supervision of Dr. Monika Stodolska and Dr. Kim Shinew
• Responsible for contacting and recruiting middle and high schools to participate in the research project.
• Helped recruit 250 parents and obtain 190 surveys from middle school children. Helped with interviewing children and in the Spanish translation of surveys and interviews.
• Responsible for data coding and analysis and for final report preparation.

 

Research Coordinator |  Fall 2009-Spring 2009

“Environmental preferences and the use of natural areas for physical activity among racial and ethnic minority residents.”

• Worked under the supervision of Dr. Monika Stodolska and Dr. Kim Shinew
• Responsible for conducting 6 focus groups with Latino residents.
• Responsible for collecting 200 surveys from Latino community residents.

 

Research Coordinator | Spring 2005-Fall 2006

The effect of sport facilities and trail systems on the use of green spaces for physical activity among Latino(a) Americans”. 

• Worked  under the supervision of Dr. Monika Stodolska and Dr. Kim Shinew
• Responsible for collecting 400 surveys in community parks.  Recruited 24 Latino men and women to wear accelerometers to measure their activity levels.
• Responsible for conducting 24 follow-up interviews with Latina women who participated in the project.

 

 

IPRA Leadership Co-Hort for Middle Management | Subject Matter Expert,  2025 – Present

• Served as a subject matter expert in developing a statewide virtual leadership cohort for middle management in parks and recreation.

 

Univ. of Illinois, Recreation Management Online M.S. Program | Industry Expert Panel Member, 2025 – Present

• Contributed professional expertise to guide curriculum development for advanced studies in recreation management.

 

National Louis University | Business Program Advisory Council Member,  2017 – Present

• Advise faculty and administration on curriculum development, industry trends, and experiential learning opportunities to ensure business programs align with current workforce needs.

Leisure Sciences Journal   |  Peer Reviewer, 2022 – Present

• Review and evaluate scholarly manuscripts in the areas of recreation, leisure behavior, and community well-being to ensure academic rigor and publication quality.

 

 

CCSD21 Superintendent Equity Advisory Committee                           January 2021 – Present

Member

• Participated in capacity-building and action planning to identify and disrupt inequities across the CCSD21 system.
• Assisted in formulating and implementing strategic, accountable, measurable and sustainable action for CCSD21 to continuously monitory equity within a system framework.

 

Search Committee for Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (UIUC)         2012

Search Committee Member

• Assisted Contributed to the development of the job description and selection criteria for the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs position.
• Assisted in identifying, screening, and interviewing candidates to ensure alignment with institutional goals and academic leadership standards.

Illini Union Programming Subcommittee                                                                  2010 – 2014            

Member

• Set up biweekly meetings to identify possible programming and event ideas for the student body.
• Aided in the development of a comprehensive calendar of events at the Illini Union that is inclusive and representative of the U of I population.

 

Illini Union Courtyard Café Programming Committee                                           2009 – 2014

Chair

• Advised and provided direction to the staff workers of a 500-capacity venue in the possible events and programs that could be hosted by the venue.
• Identified and defined core dates and ideas for future programming.

 

Illini Union, Welcome Week Committee                                                                    2009 – 2014

Member and Co-Chair (2012)

• Helped develop events for the U of I student and faculty body during the first week of school.
• Coordinated management of all events held at the Courtyard Café during the first Week of Welcome and support the activities held during the All Nighter, Quad Day, and International Student Night.

 

Asian American Cultural Center                                                                                            2012

Advisory Board Member

• Advised the Director of the Asian American Cultural Center with regards to programming and events that can help the mission of the organization.
• Advised the Center on how to tackle the challenges faced by Asian American students at the University of Illinois

 

ILeadership                                                                                                                               2009

Facilitator

• Helped facilitate the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the communication between groups of undergraduate students.
• Helped lead a group of undergraduate students through different activities that helped them develop communication skills.

 

Peer Recruitment Program, UIUC, Admission & Records                                         2005-2007

Peer Recruiter

• Promoted higher education to disadvantaged youth by visiting predominantly Latino high schools in the City of Chicago.
• Followed up with students who were interested in attending the University of Illinois and helped them with the admission process,  application for Federal Student Aid , and graduation requirements.