Thom Anderson
Ph.D. student

M.S.—Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, 2001

B.S.—Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, 1991

Advisor: Dr. Monika Stodolska

Contact:
tanders9@uiuc.edu
Tel: (217) 333-4410

Research Interests

Thom is interested in the leisure behavior of transnational communities. More specifically, he seeks to examine the impact of constraints on the leisure behavior of transnational occupational groups such as migrant workers, international truck drivers, and merchant seafarers. Of additional interest is the role of recreation in the assimilation of transnational workers in diverse cultural environments.

Conference Presentations

Stodolska, M., Shinew, K. J., Anderson, T. K., & Gobster, P.H. (2007, September). Recreation participation in outdoor urban natural environments among Latinos: Determinants and post-immigration changes. Paper presented at the National Recreation and Park Association 2007 Congress & Exposition, Indianapolis, IN

Anderson, T.K. (2007, April). Containerization and the quality of life of merchant seafarers. Paper presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, San Francisco, CA.

Stodolska, M., Shinew, K. J., & Anderson, T. K. (2007, April). The effect of acculturation and residential location on environmental attitudes and behaviors among Latino residents of two urban communities. Paper presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, San Francisco, CA.

Anderson, T. K., & Pawelko, K. (2005, May). Correctional Recreation, Weightlifting in Prison, and Rehabilitation: A Comparison of Attitudes. Proceedings from the 11th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research. The Two Solitudes: Isolation or Impact? Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, B.C.

Technical Reports

Anderson, T. K., Stodolska, M., Shinew, K. J., & Gobster, P. (2006). Environmental preferences and the use of natural areas for physical activity among Hispanic residents. Prepared for the United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service; North Central Research Station – Unit 4902.

Anderson, T.K. (2004). Community-Based Volunteer Management: A quick reference guide for rural community and economic development leaders. Macomb, IL: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs

Grants

Anderson, T.K. (2003) Community development grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service in the amount of $264,000 to support a project titled: Peace Corps/AmeriCorps Project at Western Illinois University

Courses taught at the University of Illinois:

RST 200—Leadership in Leisure Services

Courses taught at Western Illinois University:

RPTA 230—Leadership in Leisure Services
RPTA 332—Programming Principles and Applications in Leisure Services

Professional Experience

Manager, Peace Corps Fellows Program in Community Development, Western Illinois University from July 1999-July 2005

• Provided field support and technical assistance to 53 Peace Corps Fellows serving community development internships throughout rural Illinois
• Organized 10 workshops and 6 training seminars for Peace Corps Fellows and community partners
• Developed a series of marketing materials including brochures, flyers, and press releases
• Recruited 42 internship sites for Peace Corps Fellows

Center Director, United Seamen’s Service, Casablanca, Morocco from June 1997-June 1999

• Responsible for the overall operation of an International Seamen’s Center: involved the management of a bar, restaurant, gift shop and the provision of health, welfare, and recreation services to international seafarers
• Regularly provided seafarers with counseling and assistance in dealing with a wide variety of problems including repatriation assistance and crisis intervention
• Supervised a 22 member staff
• Designed and implemented Center sponsored recreation and charity events for visually challenged children, disabled children, and incarcerated girls
• Acted as chairman for the organizing committee of an international conference on seafarer’s welfare which involved over eighty participants from the Afro-Mediterranean region
• Created a seafarer’s sports, recreation, and welfare committee which planned leisure activities and events for international seafarers

Peace Corps Volunteer, Kingdom of Morocco, 1991-1995

• Collected biological baseline data to assist the Moroccan Forestry Directorate with park management efforts in the Eastern High Atlas National Park
• Designed, implemented and evaluated training programs for potters and carpenters from several Moroccan National Parks in the fabrication of fuel-efficient cooking stoves and solar ovens
• Designed, implemented, and evaluated a reforestation/conservation awareness project which involved planting 2000 trees in a Moroccan National Park and delivering environmental education sessions to over 180 rural school children from three schools
• Planned, conducted, and evaluated the first annual Barbary Sheep population survey.

Honors

Arthur F. Clayton Award for high academic achievement and distinguished service—Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, Western Illinois University

Outstanding Graduate Award for high academic achievement and distinguished service— Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, Western Illinois University

Professional Affiliations

• High Atlas Foundation (Founder and Advisory Board Member since 2000)
• Friends of Morocco (Board Member since 2003)
• National Peace Corps Association (Member since 1991)
• National Recreation and Park Association (Member since 1996)

 

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