Carol Agger, MSRT Student

Carol is currently working at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital in Malvern, PA as an interim program manager for Project SEARCH which is a vocational program working with adults with disabilities to enter or re-enter the workforce. She has a BS in Exercise and Sport Science and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. She was a tutor for the RT Assessment and Documentation course and is a Research Lab Assistant for RT Wise Owls (RTWO). After graduation, she plans to continue working with adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Steven Allen, BSRT Student

Steven is currently pursuing an education at Temple University in hopes of receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy. He is currently completing his senior internship at Delaware Valley Veterans Home. After completing his junior internship at Paul’s Run Retirement Community, Steven noticed that his skills work to their fullest capability while working with older adults. Being a veteran himself, Steven aspires to help veterans achieve a better sense of well-being through the use of recreational therapy practice.

Johanna Bauer, BSRT Student

Johanna is a senior recreational therapy student at Temple University pursuing a bachelors in recreational therapy. She has interned in a memory care unit at Spring Mill Point Independent Living, and completed a full time internship at the Youth Center for Creative Arts in Philadelphia. She has a strong interest in holistic healing nature therapy, and hopes to one day open a recreational therapy and holistic wellness center.

Rachael Borders, MSRT, CTRS

Rachael is the Clinical Director of Help-U-Bridge, LLC. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Recreational Therapy. She has been a practicing Recreational Therapist for 13 years. She has experience with a variety of individuals and settings including inpatient mental health, community-based traumatic brain injury services, older adult day program, and home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to her Clinical Director duties, she provides individual and group Recreational Therapy services as well as individualized in-home and community supports.

Heather Burket, CTRS, CCLS

Heather is a dually certified Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life Specialist who has worked in the field of Pediatric Recreational Therapy and Child Life for over 15 years. Heather has been employed in a variety of Pediatric settings including Medical Daycare, Step-down Intensive Care, Acute Rehabilitation, and Behavioral Health. She has had exposure to multiple acute care service arenas including but not limited to oncology, neurology, ICU, emergency care, outpatient clinic services, and school & home-based care. Heather is a Past-President for the New Jersey Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association, has served as an NCTRC and CLCC exam item writer, is a Delaware state representative on the Joint Taskforce for the exploration of Recreational Therapy licensure, and is a past Peg-Connelly Scholarship Recipient of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). She is also a member of the Association for Child Life Professionals and has served in different committee volunteer roles for this organization over time. She is a preferred provider of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in the state of Delaware.

Ana Canal, CTRS, MSRT Student

Ana is currently an RT at Help-U-Bridge LLC working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and is per diem at Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital working with pediatrics. She has a BS in Recreational Therapy and will graduate in May 2024 with her MSRT. She is a Peg Connolly Scholar and was previously President of Temple’s Recreational Therapy Student Association (RTSA). She presented at Temple’s 2023 RT Evidence-Based Practice Conference and served as a Research Lab Assistant for RT Wise Owls (RTWO). Her previous fieldwork included working with adults and older adults in a residential wheelchair facility and in-patient physical rehabilitation.

Maria Concepcion, BS, MSRT Student

Maria Concepcion graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services. She is in her final year as a graduate student in the MSRT program at Temple University. Prior to attending Temple’s Recreational program, Maria worked as an Intensive Case Manager with the mental health and the Drug and alcohol community. Currently she is working as a Service Coordinator, monitoring and coordinating waiver services for at home care for older adults and individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Upon graduation, Maria plans to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist working with individuals in the mental health community.

Laura Cuadrado, CTRS, MSRT Student

Laura a first-year graduate student enrolled in the MSRT program at Temple University. She is passionate about expanding her understanding of Recreational Therapy to better serve the underserved perinatal community. With five years of experience as a CTRS in Roanoke, VA, Laura currently works at an inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation facility, providing care to both children and adults. Outside of her professional life, Laura finds joy in various pursuits. Whether it’s immersing herself in a good book, training for a triathlon, or engaging in the world of music through listening, writing, or performing, Laura embraces a diverse range of interests.

Laila Delacruz, BSRT Student

Laila is expected to graduate Summer 2024. Her focus of interest is individuals with IDD, either in pediatrics or geriatrics. She recently finished her junior internship with Variety Camp Club working with individuals with various disabilities but mainly with IDD in the pediatric population. She previously worked as a Registered Behavioral Therapist and moved on to work with children as an Educator at Glenside Elementary. She hopes to expand her experience to the geriatric population to gain more knowledge of various age ranges with IDD.

Marissa Fisher, CTRS, MSRT Student

Marissa is a Recreational Therapist at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City, working with adults with physical and neurological conditions. She graduated from Temple University in May 2023 with a BS in Recreational Therapy and will be graduating in May of 2024 with her MSRT. Marissa presented at Temple’s 2023 RT Evidence-Based Practice Conference and previously served as a Research Lab Assistant for RT Wise Owls (RTWO). Her fieldwork experiences involved pediatrics in an early intervention setting, as well as inpatient physical rehabilitation for adults, where she utilized canine-assisted therapy as an intervention to support functional skill development.

Lessly Ginin, CTRS, MSRT Student

Lessly has a BS in Therapeutic Recreation from Utica University. She is currently a full-time student pursuing her MSRT at Temple University. As an RT, she has found her passion in working with the geriatric population. Currently, she lives in New York and is an RT at Kendal on Hudson.

Yihfeng Huang, BSRT Student

Yihfeng is an undergraduate student at Temple University, pursuing a BS degree in Recreational Therapy. He is completing his senior internship at St. John Neuman Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare, showcasing his dedication to improving the quality of life of individuals. With a passion for physical rehabilitation, Yihfeng aspires to work with both pediatric and geriatric populations, using recreational therapy to enhance physical and social well-being. He is planning to attend graduate school to further his education and experience in health care.

Kyla Jackson, BSRT Student

Kyla is a resident of Harrisburg, PA and is in the BSRT program at Temple University. She expects to receive her BSRT Summer 2024. She completed her junior internship at Young Children’s Center for the Arts, where she provided activity-based services to children. After graduation, she hopes to work with veterans in rehabilitation, individuals with mental illnesses who have behavioral disabilities in a residential setting, or in a long-term care facility with older adults to improve their overall quality of life. Kyla looks forward to applying for her upcoming RT internship to further expand her knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Alexis Klocek, MSRT Student

Alexis is a graduate student in the MSRT program at Temple University. She holds a BS degree in Liberal Studies from Frostburg State University. Her past work experiences include vocational rehabilitation services, aquatic trainer, and an internship at Island Dolphin Care. She is passionate about helping adults and adolescents navigate their disabilities while helping to restore a meaningful life and leisure balance to increase quality of life.

Jada Larmond, MSRT Student

Jada is currently working at Gemma Services as a Mental Health Worker where she works with youth aged 11-14 who have mental health disorders. At Gemma Services, she facilitates a weekly journaling/public speaking group to help the kids improve their writing and public speaking skills. She graduated Temple University in May 2023 with a BS in Recreational Therapy and will be graduating May of 2024 with her MSRT. After graduation, she would like to continue working with youth with mental health disorders and help them to develop skills they can utilize in their daily lives. Her fieldwork experience has involved working with adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as youth with mental health disorders.

Paige Laxton, MS, CTRS, PhD Student

Paige earned her B.S. and M.S in Recreation Therapy from Temple University and is currently a fourth-year PhD candidate in Health Behavior Science and Promotion with a focus on adapted physical activity at University of Delaware. Her research interests include reducing sedentary behavior in group home settings for adults with ID, developing place-based interventions, and leisure time physical activity. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Prior to starting the Doctoral program, she developed and managed a structured day program for adults with brain injuries that focused on increasing overall health and wellness through recreation.

Kristina Levine, MS, CTRS, CBIS

Kristina Levine has an MS in Recreational Therapy from Temple University and is a certified brain injury specialist. She recently started working full-time as a CTRS at a pediatric facility for individuals with complex medical trauma after transitioning from a neurorehabilitation facility for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Elizabeth Mason, CTRS, MSRT Student

Elizabeth is currently an RT at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center working with the home-based primary care team to serve geriatric veterans. She has a BS in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Recreational Therapy and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. She previously interned at Anderson County’s Rainbow Gang working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She plans to continue working with veterans in the future.

Alexis McKenney, EdD, CTRS, FDRT

Alexis, a multifaceted professional, serves as a freelance educator, writer, and editor. Holding credentials as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a Fellow in the National Academy of Recreational Therapists, Dr. McKenney has an extensive academic history. Formerly an Associate professor at Florida International University and later a Professor at Temple University, she contributed extensively to literature on character development, Recreational Therapy, and disability simulation activities. Notably, her recent work highlights the Perceptions of Disability Scale (PoDS), a novel tool assessing attitude shifts post-participation in disability-inclusive courses. Dr. McKenney’s current work centers on how artificial intelligence can be used for research and writing pursuits.

Nicole Penrose, MSRT Student

Nicole is currently working as an adaptive sports instructor at Higher Ground USA in Sun Valley, ID working with a variety of populations from children with developmental disabilities to Veterans. She has a BA in Global Health and a BS in Biological Sciences and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. She has worked in adaptive sports for the past four years teaching skiing, snowboarding, watersports, and helping facilitate other outdoor activities. She hopes to continue her work in adaptive sports focusing on people with physical disabilities.

Heather Porter, PhD, CTRS, FDRT

Heather is a professor of instruction in the recreational therapy (RT) program at Temple University and a fellow in the National Academy of Recreational Therapists. Her area of specialization is inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation. She received the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award and the Excellence in Teaching Award from Temple’s College of Public Health and has been recognized for her contributions to the RT field by professional organizations. She has published multiple books, book chapters, and refereed journal articles, and she mentors RT students in manuscript development for publication. Additionally, she created and organizes the annual virtual RT Evidence-Based Practice Conference at Temple University and created and maintains RT Wise Owls to disseminate RT-related research and evidence-based practice information.

Claire Richter, CTRS, MSRT Student

Claire has a BA in Recreation and Leisure Studies (‘02) from the University of Alberta and is a lifelong learner receiving her CTRS designation in 2017 and is currently in her second year in Temple University’s MSRT program. She lives in northern Alberta, Canada and is an RT on a specialized behavioral dementia unit.

Heidi Ross, CTRS, MSRT Student

Heidi is currently a recreational therapist at Bethany Children’s Health Center in Bethany, OK working in pediatric PM&R. She has a BS in Outdoor and Community Recreation and a BS in Recreational Therapy and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. She serves as a Research Lab Assistant for RT Wise Owls (RTWO) and is a Member At Large of the Oklahoma Recreational Therapy Association.

Steve Sassaman, PhD, CTAS

Steve Sassaman is an experiential educator and researcher whose work is centered on enhancing community interdependence through healthy engagement with nature. Steve has over 15 years of experience in outdoor education, including residential summer camp management, professional guiding, and collegiate recreation programs. Steve currently serves as the Assistant Director of Recreation, Outdoor Education, & Wellness at Temple University. Steve is a Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist (CTAS) and Challenge Course Manager. Steve has woven a variety of adventure-based modalities ranging from rock climbing to whitewater kayaking into his work with a diverse array of populations. Steve’s research agenda includes identifying best practices to achieve positive mental health outcomes through outdoor activity and examining how socialized gender norms influence social and environmental injustice. Steve is passionate about guiding individuals to become their best selves as they identify their unique strengths, talents, and abilities.

Krista Schline, CDP, MSRT Student

Krista is currently a student in Temple University’s MSRT program. She has an MA in Human Services Counseling. She lives in Maryland and works with older adults in public housing. She is currently completing an RT internship at Insight Memory Care Center in Sterling, VA. She also is a graduate research assistant for Dr. Bryan McCormick. She recently received the RT Wise Owl Award and the KCP Endowed Scholarship.

Savannah Sell, CTRS, MSRT Student

Savannah is currently a graduate student in the MSRT program at Temple University. She has a BS in Recreational Therapy with a minor in Clinical and Health Psychology from Temple University. Savannah completed her junior internship at Kinder Academy and her senior internship with the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. After she graduates with her MSRT, she plans to work with adolescents with mental health issues/disorders.

Brandon Snead, MS, CTRS

Brandon is an instructor in the Recreational Therapy program at Temple University. He is also the faculty advisor for Temple’s Recreational Therapy Student Association. His professional interests include using leisure education to encourage life-long participation in meaningful community-based recreation. He aims to practice what we preach in RT by traveling, running, biking, hiking and being mindful of the importance of savoring joyful moments.

Gretchen Snethen, CTRS, PhD, FDRT

Gretchen is an associate professor at Temple University in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is also the Associate Director of the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Her research focuses on exploring factors that impact community participation among adults who experience serious mental illnesses as well as developing and testing interventions that aim to increase social connectedness, improve independent participation, and improve mental health outcomes. She currently has research projects aimed at supporting parents with mental illnesses to use leisure and recreation activities to improve parental efficacy and enhance parent-child relationships; increase community participation among young adults with mental illnesses; and increase independent transportation skills. In addition to research, Dr. Snethen works to develop accessible resources that can be accessed and used by individuals with lived experience and practitioners to increase community participation.

Devan Spross, MSRT Student

Devan is a second-year graduate student in the MSRT program at Temple University from Philadelphia, PA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Art Education at Temple University in 2017. For the past seven years, she has been a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for children in grades K through 12th. She is pursuing an MSRT in hopes of graduating and becoming a dual Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Child Life Specialist. Her prior work within Recreational Therapy includes being a research assistant under RT faculty in the Temple Collaborative for addressing peer support specialists who work with individuals who have mental health and diabetes diagnoses, volunteering with art modalities for individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities, and facilitating goal ball training with the Blind Sports Organization. Currently, she volunteers to create interventions with Professor Heather Burket in a collaboration between Recreational Therapy and Temple’s Speech Clinic to help children with autism and speech difficulties.

Melissa Steinheiser, CTRS, MSRT Student

Melissa is currently a RT at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital (BMRH) working primarily with individuals who experienced strokes. She has a BS in Recreational Therapy and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. Melissa completed her undergraduate senior internship at BMRH, her junior internship at Kinder Academy, and has prior working experience as a Direct Support Professional at Help-U-Bridge working with adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Aurora Verlin, MS, CTRS

Aurora is an Instructor and the Undergraduate Program Director within the Recreational Therapy Program at Temple University. Her clinical background is in geriatric care with a specialization in working with individuals with dementia. Prior to stepping into the instructor role at Temple, Aurora served dually as the director of therapeutic recreation and personal care administrator within a Life Care Community which included skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, personal care, memory support and independent living. She also has clinical experience in stand-alone nursing homes, personal care/memory support, adult day programs and senior centers. Aurora was one of the developers of the Engagement in Preferred ActivitieS Scale (EPASS), which aims to measure engagement of individuals with dementia in preferred leisure activities. She currently serves as the President of the Recreational Therapy Foundation.

Danielle Vizcarra, MSRT Student

Danielle is currently working with individuals with developmental disabilities in the education system. She has a BS in Kinesiology, Sports Psychology and is currently an MSRT student at Temple University. She has been an avid volunteer with Challenged Athlete Foundation in San Diego, CA and wants to work with individuals with amputations as a Recreational Therapist.

Hannah Wells, CTRS

Hannah is a recreational therapist with the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. She received her master’s in recreational therapy from Clemson University and also serves as an adjunct professor for Kean University. In her role at Temple, she serves as a community inclusion specialist, provides support and supervision to the certified peer specialists, and develops and coordinates the knowledge translation efforts of the center. Hannah is passionate about advancing the education of recreational therapists to enhance community participation.

Diane Williams, MEd, CTRS

Diane is the Owner/Director of Help-U-Bridge, LLC. She started Help-U-Bridge, LLC in 2012. She has a Bachelor’s in Health & Physical Education and a Masters of Education in Therapeutic Recreation. She has been a practicing Recreational Therapist for over 27 years. In addition to her Owner/Director duties she provides individual Recreational Therapy services as well as individualized in-home and community supports. Diane has experience in a variety of settings including psychiatric inpatient and partial hospitalization, long term care, community based post-acute brain injury behavioral campus, older adult day care and home and community-based services for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Grace Wuillermin, Accelerated BSRT to MSRT Student

Grace is an undergraduate student at Temple University studying recreational therapy. She is pursuing a certification in American Sign Language and is in the 4 + 1 BSRT to MSRT program. She has a variety of volunteer experiences working with people with disabilities. She completed her junior internship at Active Day of Horsham, a day program for older adults, and her senior internship at Moss Rehab. Upon graduation, she plans on becoming a CTRS and work with pediatrics and/or adults and animal-assisted therapy.