EDUCATION AND DEGREES

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        Ph.D. - Education / Emphasis in Recreation, Park and Leisure Studies, University of Minnesota, 

        Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 2004

        MS - Experiential Education, Minnesota State University - Mankato, Minnesota, May 2001 

        BS - Outdoor Education, Montreat College - Montreat, North Carolina, December 1996 

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SELECT COURSES/ TRAININGS FACILITATED

Wilderness Education Courses (1 – 4 weeks in length) in various locations including the mountains of Western North Carolina, Wind River Mountains of WY, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

 

Outdoor Living and Expedition Skills

Beginner/Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking

Introduction to Outdoor Pursuits

Expedition Management

Program Planning and Evaluation

Research Methods

Trends and Issues in Experiential and Outdoor Education

Scholarly Writing Intensive

 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 

American Camp Association

American Canoe Association

Association for Experiential Education (AEE)

Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE)

Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO)

Leave No Trace (LNT)

National Recreation and Park Association

The Academy of Leisure Sciences

Wilderness Education Association (WEA)

 

SELECT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Association for Experiential Education

             Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) Co-Chair (2017- 2018)

             International Association Board of Directors Member (2005 – 2012)

             Heartland Region Council Member (2002 – 2005)

Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Biannual Research Symposium

             Research Committee Member & Co-Coordinator

Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership (JOREL)

             Editor in Chief (2010 – 2018)

            Associate Editor (2018 – present)

Journal of Experiential Education (JEE)

            Editorial Board Member (2016 – present)

Kurt Hahn Consortium for Values and Experiential Learning at Pennsylvania State University

            -Affiliate faculty member (2017 – present)

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SELECT AWARDS AND HONORS

Association for Experiential Education

             Dr. Betty van der Smissen Distinguished Researcher Award (2024)

Servant Leader Award for the International Association – 2013

             Rebecca L. Carver Award for the Southeast Region - 2011

Western Carolina University

             College of Education and Allied Professions Dean’s Research Award (2017)

             College of Education and Allied Professions Legislative Teaching Award (2017)

Wilderness Education Association’s Outdoor Educator of the Year (2018)

 

SELECT RECENT PUBLICATIONS

McCole, D., Perry, E. E., Bobilya, A. J., Janes, M. & Owens, T. (2024). A data-based discussion about land management decisions that limit access to protected areas. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 16(4), 103-110. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2024-12508

 

Waddell, E., Bobilya, A. J., Faircloth, W. B., Daniel, B. & Hoffman, A. (2024). Barriers and strategies for utilizing school outdoor spaces: Exploring the experiences of high school teachers. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 16(4), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2024-12467

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Bobilya, A. J., Holman, T. H., Lindley, B., Norton, C., Bell, B., Mitten, D., Ayers, E. & Smith, S. (2024). Trends and  issues in experiential and outdoor education programs. Journal of Experiential Education, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538259241239586

 

McCole, D., Bobilya, A. J., Lindley, B., Holman, T., Shirilla, P., Jacobs, J. & McAvoy, L. (2024). Using communities of practice to navigate the professoriate in contemporary academia: A co/autoethnography of seven university faculty. Journal of Faculty Development, 38(1). 45-53.

 

Daniel, B., Bobilya, A. J. & Faircloth, W. B. (2022). The life significance of an Outward Bound expedition: 50 years later. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 14(4). 1-18. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2022-11601 

 

Kinch, R., Bobilya, A. J., Daniel, B. & Duncan, S. (2022). Indigenous storytelling, Cherokee traditional ecological knowledge, and place-based education. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 14(4). 55-70. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2022-11601  

 

Schafer, D. M., Bobilya, A. J., Lawhon, B., Schultz, J. & Faircloth, W. B. (2022). Understanding hikers’ behavioral intent towards Leave No Trace in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 14(4), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2022-11589 

 

Schmidt, A. & Bobilya, A. J. (2022). Engaging youth as community leaders in outdoor education research,

program design, and evaluation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 14(1), 78-86. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2022-V14-I1-11124

 

Bobilya, A. J., Faircloth, W. B., Lindley, B. R., Holman, T. & McAvoy, L. H. (2021). A pre-post analysis of        participant learning and growth using a new Outward Bound outcomes instrument. Journal of Outdoor        Recreation, Education and Leadership, 13(3), 21-34.

https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2021-V13-I3-10406

 

Hines, E., Daniel, B. & Bobilya, A. J. (2020). Environmental views of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Ecopsychology, 12(2), 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0051

 

Meltzer, N. W., Bobilya, A. J., Mitten, D., Faircloth, W. B., & Chandler, R. (2020). An investigation of moderators of change and the influence of the instructor on outdoor orientation program participants’ biophilic expressions. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. 23, 207-224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-  020-00051-w

 

McCole, D., Bobilya, A. J., Holman, T. & Lindley, B. (2019). Benefits of summer camp: What do parents value? Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 11(3), 239-247. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2019-V11-I3-9672 

 

Bobilya, A. J., & Faircloth, W. B. (2017). Exploring course outcomes utilizing a new Outward Bound outcomes instrument. Research in Outdoor Education, 15, 114-136.

 

Faircloth, W. B. & Bobilya, A. J., & Ewert, A. W. (2016). The North Carolina Outward Bound School Course    Impression Survey: A psychometric investigation. Research in Outdoor Education, 14, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1353/roe.2016.0006

 

Bobilya, A. J., Kalisch, K. R., Daniel, B. & Coulson, E. (2015). An investigation of participant’s intended and actual transfer of learning following an Outward Bound wilderness experience. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 7(2), 93-111. https://doi.org/10.18666/jorel-2015-v7-i2-7006 

 

Bobilya, A. J., Kalisch, K., & Daniel, B. (2014). Participants’ perceptions of their Outward Bound final expedition and the relationship to instructor supervisory position. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(4), 397-414. doi:10.1177/1053825913510693. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825913510693 

 

Daniel, B., Bobilya, A. J., Kalisch, K. R. & McAvoy, L. H. (2014). Autonomous student experiences in outdoor and adventure education programming. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(1), 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825913518892

 

Kalisch, K. R., Bobilya, A. J. & Daniel, B. (2011). The Outward Bound solo: A study of participants’ perceptions. Journal of Experiential Education. 34(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.5193/jee34.1.1 

 

Bobilya, A. J., Kalisch, K., & Daniel, B. (2011). The Outward Bound final expedition: Exploring the effect of instructor positioning on the student experience. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership. 3(2), 80-83. https://doi.org/10.7768/1948-5123.1101 

 

SELECT BOOK CHAPTERS

Bobilya, A. J., Daniel, B., Kalisch, K. R. (2015). Autonomous Student Experiences: Are They Too Risky for Today’s Outdoor Adventure Program? In Black, R. & Bricker, K. (Eds.), Adventure Programming and Travel for the 21st Century (pp. 353-357). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

 

Daniel, B. & Bobilya, A. J. (2012).  Guarding Safety Without Compromising Learning: The Value of Unaccompanied Components.  In Martin, B. & Wagstaff, M.  (Eds.), Controversial Issues in Adventure Programming (pp. 220-226).  Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.   

 

Bobilya, A. J. & Daniel, B. (2007). The basics of backcountry camping. In Goldenberg, M. & Martin, B. (Eds.), Outdoor Adventures: Hiking & Backpacking (pp. 179-210). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

 

SELECT OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Daniel, B., Bobilya, A. J., & Kalisch, K. R. (2018, June, 4). Spending time alone in nature is good for your mental and emotional health. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/spending-time-alone-in-nature-is-good-for-your-mental-and-emotional-health-92652

 

SELECT RECENT PRESENTATIONS

McCole, D., Perry, E. E., Bobilya, A. J. & Janes, M. (January, 2024). Could We Lose Access to Our Classrooms? A Data-Based Discussion About Land Management Decisions That Limit Access to Protected Areas. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 16th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Waddell, E., Bobilya, A. J., Faircloth, W. B., Daniel, B. & Hoffman, A. (January, 2024). Barriers and strategies for utilizing school outdoor spaces: Exploring the experiences of high school teachers. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 16th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Bobilya, A. J., Holman, T. H., Lindley, B., Norton, C., Bell, B., Mitten, D., Ayers, E. & Smith, S. (2023, November). Trends and Issues in Experiential and Outdoor Education Programs: Panel & Roundtable Discussions. Session presented at the Association for Experiential Education International Conference: Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER), Madison, WI.

 

Faircloth, W. B., Daniel, B. & Bobilya, A. J. (2023, November). The psychology of risk and 21st century outdoor adventure program participants. Session presented at the Association for Experiential Education International Conference, Madison, WI.

 

Duncan, S. M., Forcino, F. L., Bobilya, A. J., Denton, R. & Tiger, K. (2023, May). Lessons from an environmental health and education project using western science and cultural methods. Poster presented at the C*Sci 2023 Conference, Citizen Science Association, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

 

Talley, K. A., Bobilya, A. J., Stonehouse, P. & Horschman, J. (2022, November). Being comfortable with the uncomfortable: Adolescent girl’s experiences of an extended outdoor adventure program. Paper presented at the 50th Anniversary Association for Experiential Education International Conference: Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER), YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Faircloth, W. B., Bobilya, A. J. & Daniel, B., Cox-King, A. & Talaber, J. (2022, November). Social and emotional learning through community-based outdoor and adventure programming. Paper presented at the 50th Anniversary Association for Experiential Education International Conference: Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER), YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Daniel, B., Bobilya, A. J. & Faircloth, W. B. (2022, February). The life significance of an Outward Bound expedition: 50 years later. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 15th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Kinch, R., Bobilya, A. J., Duncan, S., Daniel, B. & Brannon, J. (2022, February). Indigenous storytelling, Cherokee traditional ecological knowledge, and place-based education. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 15th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

McCole, D., Bobilya, A. J., Lindley, B., Holman, T., Shirilla, P., Jacobs, J. & McAvoy, L. (2022, February). Navigating the professoriate in contemporary academia: A co/autoethnography of seven outdoor educators/university faculty. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 15th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Schafer, D. M., Bobilya, A. J., Lawhon, B., Schultz, J. & Faircloth, W. B. (2022, February). Understanding hikers’ behavioral intent towards Leave No Trace in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Paper presented at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 15th Biennial Research Symposium, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC.

 

Faircloth, W. B., Daniel, B., Bobilya, A. J., Cox-King, A. & Talaber, J. (2021, November). Impact of community-based outdoor and adventure programming on participant social and emotional learning. Paper presented at the Association for Experiential Education International (virtual) Conference: Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER).

 

Faircloth, W. B., Seaman, J., Whitney, R. & Bobilya, A. J. (2021, November). Psychometric investigation of a reduced Kellert-Shorb Biophilic Values Indicator: Development of a brief measure of environmental values. Paper presented at the Association for Experiential Education International (virtual) Conference: Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER).