NC State Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

05/28/2026

🌿 Counting down to Greater & Greener 2026 🌿

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 2026 Greater & Greener Conference, hosted by the City Parks Alliance—happening June 13–16 in Austin, TX 🌎

is a conference unlike any other—where urban parks professionals connect, learn, and collaborate in a setting designed to showcase the real impact of parks (with more sessions outside than in) 🌳

As a sponsor, we’re honored to support this one-of-a-kind event and the global network of leaders working to build stronger, more equitable communities through parks.

If you’re planning to attend, we’d love to see you there—and there’s still time to register!

📍 Austin, TX | June 13–16
🔗 http://ncst.at/j5qq50YEY83

05/26/2026

⚽ Looking to turn your passion for sports and recreation into a career? The Town of Knightdale is hiring an Athletic Supervisor to help lead community athletic programs, support coaches and participants, coordinate events and schedules, and create a positive experience for local athletes and families.

This full-time role with the Town’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs Department offers the chance to make a direct impact in one of the Triangle’s growing communities. Applications are open through June 1.

Apply here:

The Town of Knightdale is seeking an Athletic Supervisor to oversee daily athletic operations, support coaches and participants, and help create a positive and safe environment for all programs and events. This position is responsible for supervising recreational and competitive activities, coordina...

05/21/2026

Wait—did you catch this back in March? 👀

NC State’s new men’s basketball head coach, Justin Gainey, is a graduate of NC State’s Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management (PRTM) program.

After nearly 20 years coaching at the collegiate level, he was named head coach—returning to lead the same program where he once played.

A strong example of the range of careers PRTM alumni pursue across the sport industry.

Take a closer look:

Former Wolfpack point guard and assistant coach Justin Gainey was announced Wednesday as the 22nd head coach in NC State men’s basketball history.

05/19/2026

Not doing an internship this summer but still want experience in sport?

The Savannah Bananas are hiring for Summer 2026 roles, offering hands-on experience in areas like game day operations, fan engagement, and media. Known for their unique, fan-first approach, this is a great opportunity to build practical skills in a high-energy environment.

Even better—the team will be touring near North Carolina this season, with stops including:
• Chapel Hill, NC (April 11–12)
• Charleston, SC (April 10–11)
• Savannah, GA (April 18–19)
• Greenville, SC (April 24–26)
• Richmond, VA (May 1–2)
• Charlotte, NC (June 4–6)

If you’re looking to stay engaged in sport this summer and gain meaningful experience, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

🔗 http://ncst.at/9tGl50YIplS

05/14/2026

🎓 One more congratulations to our newest graduates!

Last Friday, we celebrated the incredible Class of 2026 at the College of Natural Resources spring commencement ceremony — and we’re still thinking about the outstanding students who crossed the stage. 👏

If you missed it, check out this feature on PRTM sport management graduate Isis Stamm ’26, who was selected as one of the student commencement speakers for the ceremony.

From hands-on experience with NC State Football recruiting operations to leadership roles across campus, Isis built an impressive path through the sport management program and is continuing her journey in collegiate athletics after graduation.

Read more about Isis and her NC State journey here:
http://ncst.at/4TG550YYnST

🎉

05/12/2026

A big thank you to our PRTM graduate students, Ann Morgan Hawthorne and Sweta Dixit, for representing the department at last month's NC State Graduate Research Symposium.

They did an outstanding job presenting their research, engaging with attendees, and contributing to a meaningful day of scholarship and connection across campus.

We’re grateful for the time, effort, and dedication they put into their work and for representing PRTM so well. Experiences like this highlight the strength of our graduate students and the impact of their research.

Thank you both—we’re proud of you! ❤️🐺

05/08/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our PRTSM graduates!

Your hard work, dedication, and commitment have led you to this incredible milestone. Throughout your time in the program, you’ve developed the skills and experiences that will carry you forward in the tourism, sport, and recreation industries.

We’re excited to see what’s next for each of you—congratulations again and best wishes in your next chapter. ❤️🐺

05/05/2026

Not your typical spring break—but a meaningful one ✍️🌿

PRTM graduate students took part in a qualitative writing retreat in Bryson City, NC, dedicating time to advancing their research while engaging in peer feedback and collaboration.

The retreat was co-facilitated by Dr. Corey Johnson and Dr. Brian Kumm-Schaley (University of Wisconsin–La Crosse), whose mentorship helped create a supportive and productive environment for scholarly work.

Experiences like this highlight the value of intentional space for writing, reflection, and academic community 💛

A special thank you to Dr. Corey Johnson for sponsoring this opportunity 👏

04/29/2026

🌿 We’re proud to support one of the leading events in parks and public spaces 🌿

The NC State PRTM Department is a sponsor of the 2026 Greater & Greener Conference, hosted by the City Parks Alliance, taking place June 13–16 in Austin, TX 🌎

is the premier conference for urban parks professionals—bringing together leaders from around the world to explore how parks can shape more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable cities.

As a sponsor, we’re excited to support the conversations, research, and partnerships driving this work forward—and to be part of a global community committed to strengthening parks and public spaces 🌱

📍 Join us in Austin this June
🔗 Learn more + register: http://ncst.at/Muj450YEY0e

04/27/2026

📱 Dating apps are part of modern social life — but how safe are they?

New research from PRTM professor Dr. Corey Johnson and an international team of scholars is helping users better understand safety across popular dating apps through a new interactive Dating App Safety Map. The tool analyzes safety features, policies, and reporting systems across major platforms to help users make more informed decisions when navigating online dating spaces.

Dr. Johnson explains that the research reflects how digital and physical social spaces are now deeply connected:

“Let’s no longer reinforce the distinction between ‘IRL’ (in real life) and digital. They are now entangled, inextricably linked. The same increase in violence for women, q***r people, and people of color that existed when we were at bars and clubs is coded right back into dating apps.”

The team created the Safety Map using data from participants’ lived experiences to highlight where safety tools exist — and where they are often missing.

“We created this safety map to try to mitigate this harm by foregrounding the safety features and highlighting where apps excel, but mostly fall short,” Johnson said.

The tool has already drawn interest from police, sexual assault support workers, and dating app users looking for better information about safety online.

🔗 Learn more about the project:

New Safety Map aims to help people navigate risks on dating apps.