NART Future Scholars

 

NART

FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

APPLICATION PACKET

Dear Future Scholars Program Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) Future Scholars Program sponsored by the NART. This packet includes information that you will need to complete your application. 

The purpose of the Future Scholars Program is to provide a currently enrolled master’s degree student who is interested in pursuing a doctorate in an area related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy with the intention of entering academia as a faculty member in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy the opportunity to meet some of the leading scholars in the field. The student should articulate future plans for entering a doctoral program within the next three years. The selected applicant will be required to attend the ATRA Annual Conference as a guest of the NART. The Future Scholar will receive UP TO $1,000 to help cover conference-related expenses. The Future Scholar must register for the ATRA conference at the student rate. While NART Scholars may also be Peg Connolly Scholarship recipients in the given conference year, award funds can only be used for student expenses not covered by ATRA-specific awards. Student expenses (up to the amount of the award) will be reimbursed with documented receipts or arrangements can also be made with NART for payment of pre-determined conference expenses (e.g., flights, hotels). Awards over $600 will require completion of tax forms with Sagamore Publishing.  

At the ATRA conference, the Future Scholar will be introduced to a mentor and have an opportunity to interact with scholars in the field. In addition, the Future Scholar will attend meetings and socials hosted by the NART, ATRA, and the ATRA Foundation including the ATRA research institute, ATRA educational sessions, and participate in all conference events and social functions. This will be an excellent opportunity for the Future Scholar to ask questions about the field and inquire about doctoral program opportunities.

This application packet includes: 

  • Eligibility criteria
  • Selection criteria
  • Application instructions 
  • An application form
  • A note for faculty sponsors 

Applications should be submitted to Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect, loyd@ecu.edu as an email attachment (.docx or .pdf formatted) by midnight on June 15th. Special thanks to Sagamore-Venture for their support of this program. Best wishes and thank you for your interest in the Future Scholars program!

Sincerely,

The NART Future Scholars Program Committee Members

NART

FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

 

The purpose of the NART Future Scholars Program is to a provide master’s degree student who is interested in pursuing a doctorate within the next three years in an area related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy with the intention of entering academia as a faculty member in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy, and in having the opportunity to meet some of the leading scholars in the field by attending the American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference. 

ELIGIBILITY

Individuals who meet all the following criteria are eligible to apply:

  • Completed or currently enrolled (attending classes) in a master’s degree program in therapeutic recreation or a related field.
  • Have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during graduate studies (If this is the first semester of the master’s program, then undergraduate grades will be considered).
  • Is not committed to, nor enrolled in, doctoral study at a university at the time of application and conference attendance.
  • Plans to initiate doctoral studies within the next three years.
  • Is interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or related discipline that will facilitate teaching therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy in higher education.
  • Has earned the appropriate credentials for their state or province (CTRS and/or LRT) or is on track for application by the end of the master’s degree. Evidence of credential(s), or progress toward credentialing, is expected.
  • Has the written support of a faculty sponsor.
  • Can attend the ATRA Annual Conference and participate in all conference activities as indicated.
  • Is a member of ATRA (student or professional).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Members of the NART Future Scholars Program Committee will review all applicants using the following criteria:

  • Academic ability (based on GPA and faculty sponsor letter) and credentials in the field.
  • Indications of scholarly potential in the field (based on publications, presentations, research experience, applicant’s cover letter, and/or faculty sponsor letter).
  • Strength of intention to pursue and succeed in doctoral studies in a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or related subject (based on applicant’s cover letter and faculty sponsor letter). 
  • General level of professionalism (based on format and depth of application materials, presentation of written materials, and professional involvement).

 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A complete application packet will consist of the following five components:

  1. Completed application form (see the attached form-fillable application).
  2. Cover letter describing:
    1. Your major areas of interest in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or related field;
    2. Your future academic and career plans;
    3. The reasons you intend to pursue a doctoral degree;
    4. Areas of research you might pursue within a doctoral program; and 
    5. How you will benefit from participating in the Future Scholars Program.
  3. Current resume/curriculum vita including your educational and occupational experiences.
  4. Transcripts of all academic work in higher education (including transcripts from multiple institutions if applicable; unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
  5. One letter of sponsorship from a faculty member in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or a closely related field who will speak to your academic strengths and potential for doctoral studies and as a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy faculty member. (Please provide the attached Faculty Sponsor form letter to your faculty member)

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Submit your application as an email attachment as instructed below:

  1. Combine the first four items listed above into one file (saved as .docx or .pdf), assembled in the following order: 
    1. Application form
    2. Cover letter
    3. Resume
    4. Transcripts
    5. Faculty Sponsor letter*
      *Faculty Sponsors have the option to submit their letters directly to the email address below.
  2. Send the file (in one complete document) as an email attachment to Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect (loyd@ecu.edu) using the subject line “NART Future Scholar Application.”
  3. Deadline: Midnight, June 15th
  4. NOTE: No more than one student from any particular university will be selected in any given year, though more than one may submit an application packet.
  5. Address questions to Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect (loyd@ecu.edu). Thank you for your interest in the NART Future Scholars Program.

 

APPLICATION FORMS FOLLOW

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Simply click on the gray box and type in the requested information. All items must be completed.

APPLICANT NAME:      

EMAIL ADDRESS:                                                    PHONE NUMBER (between May-October): Area code first

ADDRESS AT WHICH YOU WILL RECEIVE MAIL (between May and October): 

Street:      

City:                                             State/Province:           Zip:      

 

FACULTY SPONSOR NAME                                                                  TITLE:      

UNIVERSITY:                                                                    EMAIL:      

 

Do you plan to apply for an ATRA-award to help fund your trip to the ATRA Conference?

☐  NO

☐  YES: ___________________________________________________ (indicate awards here) 

PROVIDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR AREA(S) OF INTERESTS IN RT PRACTICE & RESEARCH (1,000 word maximum).

     

CURRENT ACADEMIC STATUS (check one; fill in the date):

☐  I am currently enrolled in a master’s degree program; month/year of anticipated graduation:       

☐  I completed a master’s degree; month/year of graduation:       

CURRENT AND PAST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT*

(1) Current or most recent college/university attending/attended (attach transcript)

Institution:      

Major:                                       GPA:      

Degree (e.g., BS, MS):            Dates attended:      

(2) Prior college/university attended (attach transcript)

Institution:      

Major:                                       GPA:      

Degree (e.g., BA, BS):             Dates attended:      

(3) Prior college/university attended (attach transcript)

Institution:      

Major:                                       GPA:      

Degree, if completed (e.g., AS, BS):                Dates attended:      

CREDENTIALING INFORMATION/ELIGIBILITY FOR CREDENTIAL

NCTRC Certification Number:                                          Expiration Date: :         

State Licensing Number (if applicable):                            Expiration Date: :         

OR

Date Slated to Take NCTRC Certification Exam:          

Please provide as an attachment, NCTRC verification of exam eligibility

ATRA MEMBERSHIP

ATRA Membership Number:                                             Expiration Date: :      

I hereby apply to the NART Future Scholars Program. I am interested in pursuing a doctorate in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or a related field of study within the next three years. If selected as a Future Scholar, I will attend THIS YEAR’S ATRA Annual Conference and participate in a series of activities and programs designed to help me learn more about the field and opportunities for doctoral studies.  I understand that funds related to this award MUST be spent on expenses related to attendance of the ATRA Annual Conference. 

Typed name:      

 

Signature:                                                                              Date:      


 

SAVE THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS IN THE ORDER NOTED ABOVE
AS ONE DOCUMENT

 

.docx AND .pdf ARE ACCEPTABLE FORMATS

 

EMAIL THE SINGLE DOCUMENT (COMPLETE PACKET) TO:

 

Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect,

East Carolina University,

Dept. of Recreation Sciences,

2405 Belk,

Greenville, NC 27858-4353

loyd@ecu.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE SCHOLARS APPLICANT
Give this to the university faculty member who has agreed to sponsor your application for the NART Future Scholars Program

 

NART

FUTURE SCHOLARS 

UNIVERSITY FACULTY SPONSOR INFORMATION 

 

Thank you for sponsoring one of your outstanding graduate students for the Future Scholars Program sponsored by the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). Selection criteria include: academic ability (based on GPA and Faculty Sponsor letter); indications of scholarly potential in the field (based on publications, presentations, research experience, applicant’s cover letter, and/or Faculty Sponsor letter); strength of intention to pursue doctoral studies in a therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy or a related subject (based on applicant’s cover letter and Faculty Sponsor letter); and general level of professionalism (based on format and depth of application materials, presentation of written materials, and professional involvement).

 

Your letter of support is extremely important in helping us select from among the many qualified applications we receive. We are particularly interested in your perception of the student’s academic abilities relative to other graduate students with whom you have worked; his or her scholarly interests and potential for doctoral studies; and the strength of his or her intention to pursue doctoral studies in therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy or a closely related field and pursue a faculty position in therapeutic recreation/recreation therapy.

 

The student’s application packet must be submitted by midnight June 15th to be considered in this year’s review process. If you are comfortable giving your letter directly to your student, please do so prior to that date so it can be included in the application packet. The student must submit all other materials in one document. If you prefer to email your letter directly, please save it in either .docx or .pdf format and send it as an email attachment to:

 

Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect, (loyd@ecu.edu)

 

with the phrase “Future Scholar—insert student name” in the subject line. 

 

Please note that while more than one student from an institution may apply for the Future Scholars Program, only one student from any particular university will be selected in any given year.

 

Thank you for supporting your student and the NART Future Scholars Program. If you have any questions, feel free to contact: 

Dr. David Loy, NART President-elect, East Carolina University, Dept. of Recreation Sciences, 2405 Belk, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, loyd@ecu.edu; 252-328-2718

 

 

 

 

 

NART is pleased to introduce The 2023 Future Scholar

Rebecca Westenskow from University of Utah is the 2023 Future Scholar. Her interest areas include dementia, older adults, and nature engagement. Rebecca completed her Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University of Utah and she is interested in pursuing her doctorate within the next three years in Rehabilitation Sciences or Gerontology. She is currently a CTRS and member of ATRA. Her research interests have lead to a publication in the Canadian Journal of Recreation Therapy on robotic pets with older adults. Further, her research experience led to graduation designation from her undergradute program as a Research Scholar. Recently, her research at the Master's level on adaptive biking with a memory care unit led to her application and subsequent NCTRC award of a $5000.00
Research Grant. She completed an Internship at the National Institutes of Health and held a professional position with a memory care unit.

Congratulations to Rebecca Westenskow, the 2023 NART Future Scholar.

The purpose of NART’s Future Scholar Program is to provide currently enrolled master’s degree students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in an area related to therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy with the intention of entering academia as a faculty member in therapeutic recreation/recreational therapy the opportunity to meet and be mentored by scholars in the profession. The selected applicants attend the ATRA Annual Conference and receive a stipend to help cover the conference cost.

NART Scholarly Manuscript Award Winner

The 2023 award is presented to Shay Dawson (Central Michigan University), Eric Scott (University of Michigan Medical School), Lisa Elder (Craig Rehab Hospital), Edna Omodior (Indiana University Hospital), and Auriel Holman Harrison (Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center) for their manuscript "Kids B.E.A.R. Pain, A Pediatric Chronic Pain Protocol" that appeared in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 57(2), 2023, pp. 173-198. A monetary award accompanies this honor.

Congratulations to the 2023 finalists:

Bedini, L.A., Miller, K.D., Powliae, K., Labban, J., & Paynter, L. (2022). Factors affecting CTRSs' motivation to join professional organizations in recreational therapy. [Special Issue ATRA Annual], Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 56(4), 561-582.

Janke, M. C., & Walter, A. (2022). Changes in engagement for adults with dementia, effects of an intergenerational program. [Special Issue ATRA Annual], Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 56(4), 504-521.

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