Amy R. Hurd - Author

Amy Hurd, CPRP, began her career in 1989 as a special events/public information coordinator for the Champaign Park District. Today she is professor and graduate studies coordinator in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University.

In terms of scholarship, Amy is lead author on three textbooks: Leisure Services Management, Official Study Guide for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional Exam, and Parks and Recreation Professionals Handbook. She is a co-author of Kraus’ Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society and has written chapters in two additional books. Her research focuses on recreation use patterns and competencies in public parks and recreation. Amy’s scholarly works are published in the Journal of Park & Recreation Administration; Managing Leisure; Visions in Business and Leisure; Journal of Arboriculture; Journal of Unconventional Park, Recreation & Tourism Research; Journal of Heath, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Physical and Health Education Journal (Canada); Parks & Recreation; and Parks and Recreation Business.

Amy Hurd is Associate Editor for the Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education and reviews manuscripts for JPRA, SCHOLE, and LARnet. She has provided technical and consulting assistance to parks and recreation departments, theatre groups, and athletic departments on core competencies, marketing plans, strategic plans, succession planning, needs assessments, and member surveys. She has also delivered more than 25 scholarly and educational presentations at international, national, state and local levels.

Amy’s organizational leadership includes serving on NRPA’s Awards Committee, Student Task Force, Congress Planning Committee, Marketing and Image Task Force, Research Advisory Committee, and the Job Analysis Review Panel for the Park & Recreation Professional Certification Program. For the Illinois Park and Recreation Association she is member of the College and University Relations Committee and Research Advisory Committee. At Illinois State University she has served on numerous committees including chairing the Gender and Diversity Subcommittee for NCAA Cycle Three Certification.

Amy has received national recognition by the American Park and Recreation Society with a Proclamation of Service, a literary award from Illinois Parks and Recreation Association, and a Research Initiative Award from Illinois State University.