Recreation and Sport Management Department






Jennnifer S. Livengood, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Recreation and Sport Management Department
William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453035
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-3035

Office Phone: 702-895-2734

Fax: 702-774-8994

Email: jennifer.livengood@unlv.edu

 
  Professional Background and Interests

Educational Background

Ph.D., 2007, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dissertation Title: The role of leisure in the personal spirituality and religious practices of New Paradigm Christians

Masters in Social Work, 2001, School of Social Work
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2000, Department of Psychology
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Research and Professional Interests

My research interests focus on non-profit organizations, specifically religious organizations and the way in which they provide leisure services to their members and to the general community. I am also interested in the interpretations of leisure and recreational events by the church attendees and whether leisure within the religious context and space is the primary place for recreation for those individuals. Moreover, my research focuses on the social psychological aspects of religious experiences. Specifically, I focus on personal spirituality and leisure choices of individuals affiliated with a particular religion, and the social and emotional ties people maintain with fellow congregants. Professionally, I have experience as a leisure planner and programmer for culturally and religiously diverse populations including the University of Illinois Family and Graduate Housing and the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation. My professional interests have also led me to participate as a crisis line training facilitator and volunteer.

Selected Publications - Journal Articles

Livengood, J.S. (2009). The role of leisure in the personal spirituality of New Paradigm Christians. Leisure.

Stodolska, M., & Livengood, J. S. (2006). The effects of religion on the leisure behavior of American Muslim immigrants. Journal of Leisure Research, 38, 293-320.

Livengood, J. S., & Stodolska, M. (2004). The effects of discrimination and constraints negotiation on leisure behavior of American Muslims in the post-September 11 America. Journal of Leisure Research, 36, 183-208.

 Selected Conference Presentations

Livengood, J.S. & Stahura, K. (2009). Leisure within the Catholic Church: Expressions of community and festivity. Paper to be presented at the 2009 Leisure Research Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah

Livengood, J.S. & Livengood, J. (2009). Utilizing YouTube and related technology to dazzle the new generation of college students. Paper presented at the 2009 Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Summer Conference, Ottawa, Canada.

Livengood, J.S., Place, G.S., Connally, W.D. (2009). The personal spirtuality and leisure practices of Christian college students. Paper presented at the 2009 Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Summer Conference, Ottawa, Canada.

 Livengood, J.S. & Stahura, K. (October 2008). Leisure in the lives and practices of Catholic Christians. Paper presented at the 2008 World Leisure Congress, Quebec City, Canada.

Livengood, J.S. & Place, G. (October 2008). Sport and recreation competitions within the Protestant Church. Paper presented at the 2008 World Leisure Congress, Quebec City, Canada.

Place, G. & Livengood, J.S. (June 2008). Integrating spirituality into leisure programming: A synthesis of scholarship and history. Paper to be presented at the 2008 Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies Summer Conference, Seattle, WA.

Livengood, J.S., Livengood, J.A., & Stahura, K.S. (January 2008). I believe in the Church of baseball: An analysis of sport and religion in media. Paper to be presented at the Far West Popular and American Culture Association, Las Vegas, NV.

Stahura, K, Livengood, J.S., & Livengood, J.A. (January 2008). The influence of professional athletes on the behavior of young athletes: The introdution of aggression. Paper to be presented at the Far West Popular and American Culture Association, Las Vegas, NV.

Current Research Projects - In Progress

Islam and leisure: The hospitality experiences and preferences among Muslims in the United States. 
Funded by William F. Harrah Hotel College Seed Grant Program
         
    Co-Investigators: Kurt Stahura, Ph.D. & Beth Barrie, Ph.D.

Social Connections Through Leisure in the GLBT Community

   Co-Investigator: Greg Place, Ph.D.

Current Research Projects - Data Collection Completed

The Role of Organized Recreation and Sport Competitions in the Lives of Members of the Protestant Church
         
    Co-Investigator: Greg Place, Ph.D.

Leisure and Sporting Behavior Among Catholic Christians
         
    Co-Investigator: Kurt Stahura, Ph.D.

Leisure and Recreation Among College Students Attending Christian Universities
        
     Co-Investigators: Greg Place, Ph.D. & Dale Connally, Ph.D.

  Summer 2009 Course

RLS 403X: Leisure and Aging
  Links

UNLV links
    William F. Harrah Hotel College Home Page
    Recreation and Sport Management Home Page 
    Webmail
    Writing Center
    Library
    Web Campus
    Information Technology

Leisure and Recreation Links
    National Recreation and Parks Association
    Diversity Research Lab at the University of Illinois
    Nevada Recreation and Parks Society
    Nevada Division of State Parks
    City of Las Vegas, Department of Leisure Services
    City of Henderson Parks and Recreation
    California Park and Recreation Society
    Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
  Links to Recreation and Sport Management Faculty Web Pages

Dr. Dan McLean, Department Chair and Associate Professor

Mr. Chris Brown, Internship Coordinator, Professional Golf Management Program

Dr. Jim Busser, Professor, Graduate Coordinator

Mr. Chris Cain, M.S., PGA, Director of Professional Golf Management Program, Assistant Professor in Residence

Dr. Cynthia Carruthers, Professor

Dr. Chrysostomos Giannoulakis, Assistant Professor

Dr. Kurt Stahura, Associate Professor


Background image from: GRSites
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