Joni Patterson-Saunders

Curriculum Vita

HOME ADDRESS:

2711 East 5th Ave

Denver, CO, 80206

864.650.8656

Last Updated: March 10, 2011

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

2003 Master of Science: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences

Concentration in Recreation and Park Administration

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Thesis Topic: Effectiveness of Internet Information for Park, Recreation and Tourism Practitioners

Chair: James F. Petrick, Ph. D.

2000 Bachelor of Science: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences

Concentration in Tourism Resource Management

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Minor Business Administration, Lowery Mays School of Business

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Spring 2011 Visiting Assistant Professor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 4890 – Internship in Recreation, Parks, or Therapeutic Recreation

RECR 4790 – Applied Research and Evaluation

RECR 4850 – Advanced Administration Recreation and Parks

RECR 3840 – Design and Maintenance for Recreation Facilities

RECR 2110 – Recreation Leadership Skills

Fall 2010 Visiting Assistant Professor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 4110 – Program Development in Recreation

RECR 3990 – Field Experience, CPRA Conference

RECR 2110 – Recreation Leadership Skills

RECR 2210 – Managing Outdoor Recreation

RECR 1870 – Introduction to Recreation and Parks

Summer 2010 Instructor – Metropolitan State College of Denver,

RECR 393F- Special Event Planning in Recreation, Parks and Therapeutic Recreation

Spring 2010 Visiting Assistant Professor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 4850 – Advanced Administration Recreation and Parks

RECR 3840 – Design and Maintenance for Recreation Facilities

RECR 2110 – Recreation Leadership Skills

Fall 2009 Visiting Assistant Professor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 4110 – Program Development in Recreation

RECR 2110– Recreation Leadership Skills

RECR 2210 – Managing Outdoor Recreation

RECR 1870 – Introduction to Recreation and Parks

Spring 2009 Instructor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 3840 – Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Planning

Spring 2008 Instructor – Metropolitan State College of Denver

RECR 390 – Outdoor Recreation and Diversity Strategies

2004 to 2006 Instructor – Clemson University

PRTM 308 – Leadership and Group Processes

Fall 2003 Co-Instructor – Clemson University PRTM 409 - Research Methods

2000 to 2003 Teaching Assistant – Texas A&M University, Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, College Station, Texas

Courses Assisted:

RENR 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture (3 credits) –

Fall 2000, Spring 2001, Fall 2001 (Dr. Louis Hodges)

RPTS 403 Financing and Marketing Recreation, Park and Tourism Resources (4 credits) - Fall 2002 (Dr. John Crompton)

2002 Graduate Assistant – Texas A&M University, Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, College Station, Texas

Extension Graduate Assistant – Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Texas Community Futures Forum – Quality of Community Life Response Team

Texas Cooperative Extension, College Station, Texas- Spring 2002

(Dr. Carson Watt)

Department Graduate Assistant – Texas A&M University, Texas

Texas Community Futures Forum and Benchmark Online Tourism Study (Evaluation of Tourism Websites)

Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas- Summer 2002

(Dr. James Petrick)

AWARDS/ HONORS

L. T. Jordan Institute of International Awareness, Research Assistantship, Texas A&M University, Spring 2001

Cum Laude Graduate, Texas A&M University, Spring 2000

Women Professionals in Business Association Award, 1996-2000

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Houston Livestock and Rodeo Award, Fall

1999

Clara Wuest Heidemann Departmental Scholarship, Department of Recreation, Park and

Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University, Spring 1999

Texas Hotel/ Motel Educational Scholarship, Spring 1999

American Express National Travel Scholarship, in recognition of a future travel and

tourism leader, American Society of Travel Agents, Spring 1999

Academic Achievement Scholarship: Will Rogers Scholarship for Students with

Disabilities, Texas A&M University, 1997-1999

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY GOALS

My previous research experience focused on exploring the applicability of technology concepts, primarily through the context of human-computer interaction for the development of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Services. Other previous research experience includes research in online collaboration and online learning. Specifically, building sense of community through online workshops, program development and utilization of online communication tools (using virtual classroom technology). Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education, I have gained extensive experience researching and studying numerous areas of the recreation field, including: recreation foundations and theories, outdoor recreation planning and programming, facility design, community recreation, and recreation development specifically designed for seniors, disabled persons and/or youth.

My current research interests include community parks and recreation opportunities, outdoor recreation, venue and facility design, and the effect of technology on recreation activities (specifically with regards to youth and senior citizens). I also have an interest in returning to the academic world to obtain a PhD in a Parks, Recreation and Tourism related field.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Texas Travel Industry Association Travel Summit, Galveston, Texas 1999

National Recreation and Parks Association Congress, Denver, CO, 2001

Texas Travel Industry Association Travel Summit, Fort Worth, Texas, 2002

National Recreation and Parks Association Congress, Saint Louis, MO, 2003

E-Government Knowledge Management Conference, Washington, DC, 2003

Attended and Exhibited, Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference, Orlando, FL, 2003

National Recreation and Parks Association Congress, Reno, NV, 2004

The Effective Facilitator – Training, Atlanta, GA, 2004

National Training Associates – Boys & Girls Clubs of America Train the Trainer Program, Atlanta, GA, 2004

Facilitator Training – Clemson University Outdoor Lab, Clemson, SC, 2004

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Training and Professional Development Summit - Facilitated the Distance Learning Session- Myrtle Beach, SC, 2004

Education and Technology Services - “Creating an On-line Course” Training, Clemson, SC, 2004

Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference- Facilitated Distance Learning session, San Antonio, TX, 2004

Attended E-Government Knowledge Management Conference, Washington DC, 2004

Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference – Facilitated ONE Leadership session and Benefits of an E-Community session, San Diego, CA, 2005

Law Enforcement and Youth Partnership in Crime Prevention Conference – Facilitated ONE Leadership session, Washington DC, 2005

Facilitated Project Development – Advanced Leadership Certificate Program, Strom Thurmond Boys & Girls Club Leadership Institute, June 2003-October 2005.

Education and Technology Services – “Course Development and Design Made Easy and Logical”, Training, Clemson, SC, 2005

7 Habits of Highly Effective People offered through Faculty Development at Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO, September 2009

Course Design Workshop: Activities for Deep Learning, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO, February 2009

Colorado Park and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Breckenridge, CO, September 2010.

Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, October 2010

The New ADA: Policy issues, Program Requirements and New Design Requirements, Wheatridge, CO, February 18, 2011

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Texas Community Futures Forum – Quality of Community Life Response Team- Development of an Online Resource for Rural Park, Recreation and Tourism Practitioners: Developed a comprehensive, online resource for rural communities with a desire to develop or acquire park, recreation, or tourism services. The developed site included a survey tool used to collect information to assist county extension agents in drawing information about the website’s target market and the information needs of rural communities seeking out park, recreation and tourism services. January 2002 to present

Study of Flow and Human-Computer Interaction – Assessed the success of the user of a specific website and the ability to achieve flow or an optimal experience while collecting information and navigating through the site. The consequence of achieving flow is change in behavior and increased knowledge of the information being presented. Initial research was conducted using the Texas Community Futures Forum’s Website, Park, Recreation and Tourism Planning. March 2001 to 2003

WORK EXPERIENCE

Catering By Design, Denver, CO

June 2007- July 2009

Event Designer

Event Manager

· Responsible for management of on-site events and staff

· Promoted to Event Designer in January, 2009

· Obtain new clients through cold calls, networking, and incoming calls

· Responsible for aggressive sales goals that will are obtained through sales calls and retention of current client base

· Plan, organize and develop the food, beverage and rental services for events of organizations and businesses

· Meet customer expectations, food and hygiene standards and financial targets

SolarFrameWorks, Denver, CO

July 2007 – December 2009

Account Executive

· Management and development of key client’s project needs

· Facilitation of meetings with principles and clients

· Negotiate and price project parameters and schedule resources in response to client requests

· Coordination of the test product launch

· Development of sales contacts through cold calls and internal leads

· Organization of sales logs and customer accounts

· Point of contact with suppliers, manufacutres and customers

Metropolitan State College of Denver – School of Professional Studies, Denver, CO

December 2006 – June 2007

Administrative Assistant - Dean’s Office

· Assisted with logistical coordination of both Spring and Fall Commencements

· Point of contact with students, faculty, staff and administrators

· Creation and maintenance of faculty database

· Administrative/clerical support for the Dean’s office staff (including scheduling events)

· Other duties and organizational support as needed

Strom Thurmond Boys & Girls Club Leadership Institute & ONE Leadership

Clemson University (2003-2006)

Program Director

· Directed and managed a multi-million dollar grant partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Clemson University

· Planned a number of project-specific events and initiated contractual agreements with vendors to host, manage and cater events

· Developed all major project deliverables, including all marketing and web site content, project participant guides and training curriculums

· Managed a diverse mixture of grant partnership teams

· Lead team meetings to develop and monitor strategic project goals and objectives.

· Presented at and attended a number of National and Regional Conferences

· Other Program Director duties included: writing quarterly grant reports, collaborating in on-line learning environments, and marketing the program mission to potential future clients

May 2000 - December 2000, Jared Jewelers, Webster, Texas, Office Administrative Assistant

Duties consisted of taking store inventory, auditing daily books documenting sales, commission and profit, providing customer service duties, conducting balance inquiries, and retail sales.

December 1999 - May 2000, Texas Monthly Magazine, Austin, Texas, Marketing Intern

Duties consisted of establishing a work relationship with Marketing Department Directors, conducting online research, producing advertisement page layouts, and making phone calls to magazine event sponsors.

December 1999- May 2000, Omni Downtown Austin, Austin, Texas, Intern

Duties consisted of taking reservations, working front desk operations, performing concierge duties, and providing customer service to members of Omni’s Select Guest Program.

May 1997- August 1997, San Luis Resort, Galveston, Texas, Activities Director

Duties consisted of supervising and maintaining, equipment and activities at the two Galveston resort locations. Overseeing daily adult, teen and youth activity programs and creating a weekly calendar of activity events and a brochure explaining resort services.

SKILLS

· Teaching/Instructing (7 years experience)

· Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint

· Project Management (3 years experience)

· Advanced Online Facilitation and Web Learning Environment Skills (3 years experience)

· Technology Training and Project Facilitation (3 years experience)

· Presenting to Regional and National Audiences (3 years experience)

· Event Planning (6 years experience)

· Team Building (5 years experience)

· Research (5 years experience)

CONFERENCE FACILITATION

· Facilitated 27 Advanced Leadership Certificate Programs for the Strom Thurmond Boys and Girls Club Leadership Institute (2003 – 2006)

· Programs included training in the following areas:

o Project Development

o Achieving Flow and Productive Outcomes

o Distance Learning Goals and Objectives

o E-Communities and E-Leadership

· Lead facilitations at the following conferences:

o Boys & Girls Clubs of America Training and Professional Development Summit (2004)

o Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference (2004-2006)

o Law Enforcement and Youth Partnership in Crime Prevention Conference (2005)

o South Carolina LEAD Institute (2006)