College of Education and Human Development

CEHD Faculty Honored by The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS)

Two exemplary faculty members in the Recreation Management and Sport and Recreation Studies programs in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at George Mason University received distinguished honors conferred by The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS). Associate Professor Ellen Drogin Rodgers was inducted as a TALS Fellow, and Assistant Professor Sammie Powers received the TALS New Researcher Award. Both awards were presented at the organization’s annual conference earlier this year.

Founded in 1980, TALS is an international scholarly organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and value of leisure across diverse contexts, including recreation, parks, tourism, sport, and community development. These prestigious honors recognize the significant contributions of Drogin Rodgers and Powers to their field, continuing a strong tradition of faculty excellence within their programs.

Ellen Drogin Rodgers, TALS Fellow

Ellen Rodgers
Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

In being named a TALS Fellow – one of the highest honors in the field – Drogin Rodgers was recognized for her work as a respected scholar, mentor, and leader with notable achievements over nearly forty years. Through her extensive scholarship, Drogin Rodgers has advanced understanding of the lifelong benefits of recreation, physical activity, and leisure. Her research examines the antecedents to and outcomes of participation: applying social, environmental, and educational psychology to explore how engagement in meaningful and enriching experiences—particularly in parks, protected areas, and educational settings—contributes to individual, community, and societal well-being. She emphasizes that leisure sciences provide a transdisciplinary lens for studying these dynamics and guiding inclusive, data-driven planning and management strategies that foster sustainable, resilient, equitable and accessible environments. Election as a Fellow affirms the significance of this integrative work and its impact on fostering healthier, more connected communities.

Drogin Rodgers’s scholarly contributions, supported by over $4 million in grant funding, include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, monographs, and technical reports that have advanced both theory and practice. As Dr. Deborah Kerstetter, Professor Emerita at Penn State, notes: the results of Drogin Rodgers’s research have driven more responsive and effective management of leisure agencies. Her applied work spans initiatives such as stakeholder engagement planning for Appalachian Trail landscape conservation, strategies to foster community well-being and youth development through traffic gardens, assessment of recreation needs in diverse and underserved communities, and understanding the human dimensions of natural resource recreation planning. Drogin Rodgers has amplified the impact of her research through presentations at premier regional, national, and international conferences—including the American Psychological Association, American Planning Association, National Environment and Recreation Research Association, and the International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress. Her thought leadership resonates across disciplines, shaping policy, guiding practice, and inspiring innovation in leisure sciences globally.

When asked what it was like learning that she was going to be inducted as a TALS Fellow, Drogin Rodgers described it as “a truly humbling and profound honor.” She stated, “This recognition reflects my passion and dedication, and the support of the people and experiences that have shaped my journey. It’s more than a professional milestone—it’s a reminder of the impact we can each make through scholarship and community. I’m honored and inspired to join such a distinguished group of scholars whose work I have long and deeply admired. This achievement strengthens my commitment to mentoring, collaboration, and purposeful leadership.” Drogin Rodgers’s distinguished career has earned widespread recognition within the global leisure sciences community and at George Mason University. Her colleagues in the Recreation Management program, Associate Professor Sammie Powers and Academic Program Co-Coordinator Stella Liu, attest to her profound impact. Powers and Liu shared:

“We have known Dr. Drogin Rodgers since our graduate studies and have benefited immensely from her guidance and driving positive force throughout our doctoral programs, early faculty roles, and current positions at George Mason. She is one of the most selfless, kind, and inspiring individuals we have ever met. Her mentorship has shaped our careers and lives, bringing out the best in us and motivating us to pay that support forward. We would not be where we are today without her thoughtful and unwavering support and compassion.”

Drogin Rodgers’s nominators echoed these sentiments, emphasizing her innovative academic leadership. Dr. Andrew Mowen (Professor, Penn State) noted:

“Beyond her research, Dr. Drogin Rodgers’s greatest contributions lie in her leadership roles within her university and professional organizations. She has championed student success, mentored emerging scholars, and advocated for advanced representation and belonging through her community-engaged research and service.”

Drogin Rodgers was also previously named a Fellow in the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration.

Sammie Powers, TALS New Researcher Award

Sammie Powers
Photo Provided

Sammie Powers’s selection for the TALS New Researcher Award reflects the innovative and visionary approach she has adopted in her research focusing on the interconnections between outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental change. This strategy has allowed Powers to move beyond disciplinary boundaries to help solve environmental challenges of importance globally. Among the many achievements for which Powers was recognized as a recipient of the award were the extensive scholarly contributions she has made for both academic and professional audiences, including peer-reviewed articles, presentations, manuscripts, book chapters, and technical reports. Her portfolio of externally funded research for which she has been Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator exceeds $470,000 out of over $1 million in grants. In all her work, Powers has endeavored to translate the complex findings of her research into practical recommendations that provide real solutions for park managers, policymakers, community organizations, and other non-academic entities. Powers was also highlighted for her strong leadership qualities in assembling and managing interdisciplinary research teams of scholars and practitioners to address issues at the forefront in leisure sciences. In addition to her achievements in research, Powers was celebrated for the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm she brings to George Mason as an educator and mentor to her students, a role in which she works to inspire them to continue in the field to become the next generation of researchers and practitioners.

Many colleagues of Powers in the leisure sciences research community, including those at George Mason, supported her selection for the New Researcher Award. Among these individuals was her long-time mentor and friend, Ellen Drogin Rodgers, who was recently named a TALS Fellow. In a letter of nomination recommending her for the award, Drogin Rodgers praised Powers for the enthusiasm she brings to the field of leisure sciences and the drive she displays in teaching, conducting research, and motivating others—a characterization echoed by many of Powers’s other supporters. Drogin Rodgers wrote, “With regard to her impactful scholarship, leadership, and contributions to TALS and the discipline, she is a force of nature, and I can think of none more deserving of the TALS New Researcher Award.”

Drogin Rodgers pointed to the consistent excellence in scholarship demonstrated by Powers and her strong leadership and collaborative skills, writing that: “Her work is conceptually and theoretically strong, methodologically advanced, and often grounded in the applied bridging of research to practice. Her research is informed by the social-ecological systems of parks, recreation and conservation (PRC) and her research agenda advances PRC management with emphasis on equity, environmental sustainability, and health.” Drogin Rodgers also emphasized the ability of Powers to “convene, excite, and empower effective and highly collaborative transdisciplinary teams to address the most pressing challenges facing our communities and world.” Sammie Powers is a “significant change agent” committed to lifelong learning and enhancing the well-being of communities through research, service, and leadership—attributes that Drogin Rodgers says have “made all the difference.”

When asked about what it meant to her to be selected for the TALS New Researcher Award, Powers stated, “I was so honored to receive this award because it came from an organization that I value deeply and with which I have been highly involved since I was a graduate student. In 2019, I began chairing the TALS Graduate Student Advisory Committee. Then, when I became a faculty member, I moved to chairing the Future Scholars Committee, serving in that role for three years. The TALS community has always welcomed me with open arms, and I continue to try to find ways to give back to and contribute to the organization. Most recently, I was elected to the role of At-Large Director on the Board. Given my service and leadership within TALS, and the wonderful network I have been a part of through these roles, it was immensely meaningful to be recognized by the organization. The fact that some of my closest colleagues, mentors, and friends took the time to nominate me is truly what means the most.”

She concluded her remarks by sharing her insight on the importance of ensuring equitable access to outdoor recreation spaces while protecting the integrity of these areas, many of which are environmentally vulnerable. Powers stated, “I think one of the challenges the field will continue to face is how to effectively manage and conserve parks and protected areas in ways that facilitate equitable access to outdoor recreation while conserving the natural environment and its resources. Simultaneously, there are opportunities to better connect outdoor recreation and conservation to promote stewardship, relational values of nature, and better engage outdoor recreationists in conservation networks, initiatives, and advocacy.”

Please join the CEHD community in congratulating Ellen Drogin Rodgers for being named a TALS Fellow and Sammie Powers as a recipient of the TALS New Researcher Award. These prestigious honors are indicative of the high quality of their research and the dedication they display to educating and mentoring their students at George Mason.