The PRM program prepares professionals to design, plan, promote, and deliver the physical and social components of the leisure service industry. This includes skills in administration, management, research and evaluation, leadership, and instruction. Graduates will be prepared to manage resources, facilities and programs, and to lead and instruct for programs in commercial, public, and non-profit settings.
University Review
In 2010-2011, the program completed the university review process, which included
evaluation by a team of external reviewers. Their summative impression stated, “Overall, the External Review Team was very impressed with all aspects of the PRM
Program at WCU. The program is well managed by a team of highly qualified and dedicated
faculty. In addition, the PRM program relies effectively on highly qualified adjunct
faculty to deliver skills and some classroom based courses. In general, the PRM program
provides a nurturing and caring learning environment that is both student-centered
and experientially based. The program is respected and highly regarded by the University
community at all levels including administration, faculty, students and alumni.”
Tent Peg
PRM majors create and publish the "Tent Peg," a semester newsletter, highlighting
student travels, events, experiences and more.
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
PRM was a pilot program for WCU's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and we continue to implement QEP goals in our strategic plan, mission statement and
course work. Examples of the QEP in action include the Whee Adventure Guides, the Cullowhee Canoe Slalom, student presentations at the Undergraduate Research Expo each year and implementation of the Electronic Briefcase within PRM 350.
Faculty Awards
PRM faculty have received numerous awards for teaching excellence including The Legislative
Teaching Award, the Chancellor's Engaged Teaching Award, The Excellence in Teaching
Liberal Studies Award and the Taft Botner Distinguished Teaching Award (Dr. Maurice
Phipps, 2010 and Dr. Ben Tholkes, 2011). Dr. Tholkes received the National Park Service
Commendation Award and the Ski Patrol Thirty Year Service Award. Dr. Phipps received
the President's Council Award, the Frank Lupton Service Award and the Award of Merit
for Outstanding Service from the Wilderness Education Association. Debby Singleton
was one of five finalists for the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award and received
the Professional Ski Instructors of America Twenty Year Service Award.
Graduation
The PRM program currently has about 70 majors, a 2.5 GPA requirement, an excellent
retention rate and consistently graduates over 20 students each year.
Internship Sites
PRM students complete several internships during their time with the program. All
students complete a combination of three 50 hour internships and a 400 hour capstone
internship. These internships allow students to practice theories and skills learned
in course work. Students have serviced over 350 internship sites during the past
20 years both in the US and abroad. Here is a sampling of a few of the internship
sites over the past couple of years:
Andrews High School
American Whitewater
Adventure Treks
Asheville Parks and Recreation Department
Basecamp Cullowhee
Balltown Bee Farm
Blue Ridge Parkway
Cataloochee Ski Area
Cedar Creek Stables
Friends of Panthertown
Full Spectrum Farms
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
High Hampton Inn
Iredell County Parks and Recreation
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Jackson County Parks and Recreation
Moonshadow Learning Services
Mountain Heritage Center
Mountain Top Golf Club
Mount Snow Ski Area, Vermont
Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Navitat Canopy Tours
NC Wildlife Resource Commission
Oaks Country Club
Outward Bound
Sapphire Valley Resort
Smoky Mountain High School
Tuckaseegee River Clean Up
World Kayak
Wildwater Limited
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. National Whitewater Center
WCU Adopt-A-Trail
WCU Campus Recreation
WCU Intramurals
WCU Project Discovery
Yosemite National Park
Research and Publications
Energy Miles Study
Chapters in "Introduction to Leisure Services in North Carolina"
Participant Use Survey in Panthertown Valley
Facebook
Stay connected with PRM majors through Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/PRMclub/