May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Two researchers uncover dynamics that challenge the assumption that more parks lead to more activity In cities across the United States, physical activity is often promoted as a cornerstone of public health, yet disparities in access and engagement persist. Despite the well-documented benefits of leisure-time physical activity, many communities […]
Category: Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
2025 RST department head message
May 21, 2025 Hello RST Friends and Alumni, Welcome to the spring 2025 edition of the RST newsletter! We are excited to share some of the latest research breakthroughs from our faculty, outstanding student achievements and the ongoing contributions of our incredible alumni. This year, we are especially proud to showcase how our students and […]
Remembering pioneering scholar Jack Kelly
May 21, 2025 | Laura Payne, Mike Raycraft, Kim Shinew and Monika Stodolska Jack Kelly, a professor in the Department of Leisure Studies at Illinois for many years, died on Feb. 10, 2025, at the age of 94. Faculty members of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism collaborated to write this remembrance of Kelly. […]
2025 Sapora Symposium: Honoring a century of legacy at Huff Hall
May 21, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo George Huff was the theme, but Grimace stole the show The theme of the 2025 Sapora Symposium was visionary leadership, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Huff Hall and paying tribute to the legacy of George Huff. Only one thing could potentially overshadow that, and it is purple and lovable: Grimace. […]
The role of racial segregation and park availability in physical activity
May 22, 2025 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo RST researchers set out to explore how racial residential segregation impacts leisure-time physical activity prevalence and how park availability influences this relationship In cities across the United States, physical activity is often promoted as a cornerstone of public health, yet disparities in access and engagement persist. Despite the well-documented […]
AHS students present diverse projects for Undergrad Research Week
May 01, 2024 | Ethan Simmons Students, faculty and staff got a taste of the findings from AHS’ budding student researchers during the AHS Undergraduate Research Expo For a freshman at the College of Applied Health Sciences, Saiesha Bollapragada’s research portfolio is impressive. At last week’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, the I-Health major got to present […]
Payne has big plans for revitalized ORPR
Jan. 15, 2024 | Bruce Adams ORPR is designed to be an asset to faculty and the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism In November 2021, while Laura Payne was the interim director of the Office of Recreation and Park Resources, a group of stakeholders held a retreat to focus on the core missions of […]
Paralympian in pursuit of Ph.D.
Jan. 15, 2024 | Ethan Simmons Jenna Fesemyer and her family forged their own path Jenna Fesemyer’s enduring love of wheelchair racing boils down to two factors. First, like other skill-heavy sports, there is always a way to fine-tune her mechanics and improve her craft, she said. The second reason is simpler: “I love the […]
Master Plan: How campus investment will boost AHS master’s programs
Jan. 15, 2024 | Ethan Simmons Revamped online degrees are expected to expand the accessibility of AHS programs worldwide, reaching new students from underrepresented and nontraditional backgrounds Three master’s programs in the College of Applied Health Sciences are undergoing transformations for the digital age. After receiving a $2.035 million award from the University of Illinois […]
Global opportunities
April 03, 2024 | Anna Flanagan The College of Applied Health Sciences boasts a diverse student body in which 33 percent of the students belong to historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and 149 students are from other countries The Republic of Ghana has the second-largest population in West Africa. Until recently, Emmanuel Dubure was […]