Faculty

Dr. Patrick Lewis is a proud leisure professional and passionate educator committed to the professionalization of leisure education. Dr. Lewis is an advocate for the value of leisure and recreation as well as the critical importance of competent professionals capable of working with groups and individuals to develop lifelong skills, health, and wellness. An experienced leader with over ten years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Lewis has served as an Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Program Coordinator of Ithaca College’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, the Outdoor Adventure Leadership major and Immersion Semester Program. Earning bachelor’s (Psychology) and master’s degrees (Sport Studies) from Miami University and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University (Leisure Studies), Dr. Lewis’s areas of interest and specialization include leadership and adventure education, wilderness expeditions, risk management, curriculum design and program assessment. As a collaborative leader with a history of working with individuals and groups in diverse and dynamic settings, Dr. Lewis’ strength is developing innovative, student-centered pedagogy to teach in, about, and through adventure. A leisure enthusiast, Dr. Lewis prefers to recreate outside with his family riding bikes or swinging golf clubs!