Current Team
Faculty Members
Dr. Gary Ellis is a Professor and former department head of the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. His areas of research interests are in the area of immediate experience and reducing attrition in youth programs. He enjoys sailing, canoeing and cycling.
Dr. Darlene Locke is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Her areas of expertise include extension education, youth development, volunteerism, and international programs for youth
Dr. Andrea Ettekal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. You can find her publications via Google Scholar. Click here to know her research and personal stories.
Dr. Jun Wang an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Her primary research interests are the character development of children from different sociocultural backgrounds. Click here to know more about her research and personal stories.
Dr. Kelly Jiang is Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. She is interested in structured experiences, relations between tourists and residents of host communities, and management of hotels and resorts.
Dr. Chad Nelson is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. He also serves as a Director for Deerfoot Youth Camp, which focuses on providing disadvantaged youth an opportunity to attend a sports-related summer camp to improve self-esteem, learn discipline and encourage them to strive for excellence.
Dr. Peter Witt is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Dr. Witt continues to be an active supporter and advisor to Bradberry Chair projects. He actively supports current programs and research. He is the co-author (with Linda Caldwell) of Youth Development: Principles and Practices in Out-of-School Time Settings and Edith’s War: Writings of a Red Cross Worker and Lifelong Champion of Social Justice. He can be found on Research Gate here.
Alex Skrocki is a masters student in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. In addition to her studies, she is also an AgriLife Extension Research Associate and Website Manager for the Bradberry-Sequor Youth Experience website. Her research interests include positive youth development and the impact of out-of-school time activities have on personal and professional success.
Students Members
Barbara Bolick is a Ph.D. student in Youth Development in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Government. She lived in Temuco, Chile from 2001-2018, where she worked in economic and community development. While in Chile, she founded community development cooperatives in three rural communities that are currently directed by local leaders. She also developed and directed the “Talita Cumi Girls’ Club” program. This initiative strengthens the developmental potential of early adolescent girls living in underserved communities. Barbara is currently a Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Andrea Ettekal. She is researching the long-term impact of youth-focused, character development programs on the cultural capital of underserved communities.
Linda Co is a graduate student in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. She is studying experience structuring with Dr. Gary Ellis. She is particularly interested in how cultural identity and other social factors influence people’s leisure experiences. Linda is Vice-President Internal at Asian Presidents’ Council (APC) under the university’s Department of Multicultural Services for the 2019-2020 term. APC strives to educate, connect, and enhance the experiences of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) students on campus. In the past few years, Linda served as a co-director of programming in APC. She planned and facilitated events for the APIDA community to allow participants to create their own meaningful experiences, spark conversations within the community, and make a difference.
Mallori Girard is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree in youth development. She has a particular interest in youth sport programs and their ability to promote character development. Being a lifelong athlete, she has first hand experience of the opportunities sports have to offer, and wants to make sure that all young athletes are given the right tools to become positive members in their community. In addition to having a passion for sports, especially softball, she is an avid animal lover and takes part in all things animal rescue. She is one of two co-founders of Six Kittens Rescue, a non-profit cat rescue that aims at reducing the feral cat population in the Bryan/College Station area.
Kaylee Jorgensen is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences. She previously attended Brigham Young University and received an undergraduate degree in Experience Design and Management. She is currently studying with Dr. Gary Ellis and has a great interest in continuing her research within experience design, specifically focused on the immediate experience as well as designing impactful youth experiences. She enjoys Dutch oven cooking, traveling, and exercising.
Xin Li is a PhD student in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences with the concentration on Youth Development at Texas A&M University. She is studying with Dr. Jun Wang. She is interested in conducting applied research. She plans to design, implement, and evaluate arts and literacy after-school programs that support disadvantaged children and youth (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities and those from low SES backgrounds) with their cultural identity, creativity, and other competencies in both the U.S. and China.
Rachel Weiss is a masters student in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences with an emphasis in Youth Development. She graduated with a B.S. in RPTS in May 2019, receiving certificates in Youth Development, Community Recreation and Park Administration, and Hospitality Management. Rachel served as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Ettekal and has continued work with her on multiple projects throughout her Masters. Her research is focused on the role of cross-cultural mentors in out-of-school time settings, which was inspired by her involvement at a youth camp in France.