Ariel Rodríguez
Associate Professor of Recreation Management / Program Director of Recreation Management / Fall 2022 Interim Honors Program Director
- Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., 2006
- Master of Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., 2002
- Bachelor of Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., 1999
Ariel Rodríguez is driven by a desire to serve humanity through education. He believes the recreation profession is in a unique position to tackle real-world challenges throughout the world and has worked to ensure the recreation management curriculum reflects this through a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application. His interactions with learners, communities, and world issues have all shaped his teaching philosophy. Rodríguez designs his courses guided by the tenets of experiential learning, exposing learners to the complexities of real-world challenges and helping them to develop recreation-based solutions to these challenges.
Research Interests
- Community recreation
- Recreation program evaluation
- Quality of life
- Population of Latin American descent living in the United States
Courses Taught
- Introduction to the Global Recreation Industry
- Event Management and Promotions
- Leisure in Modern Society Recreation Program Planning in Modern Society
- Practicum in Sport Management and Recreation
- Supervisor Management for Recreation Services
Certifications and Memberships
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional
- Council Member of the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions
- Member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences
- Member of the National Recreation and Park Association
- Member of World Leisure
Selected Works
Presentations
- Ross, A., Rodríguez, A., Searle, M. (October 5-6, 2017, Denver, CO). Active Transportation to School: Associations between the Physical, Socio-Cultural, and Safety Environments. Presented at the Seventh International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society.
- Rodríguez, A., & Látková, P. (2012). Analyzing the literature gap for youth of Latin American descent. Presented at the NRPA Conference and Exposition 2012, Anaheim, California.
- Rodríguez, A. (2012). Cultural competencies when providing recreation therapy services to Latino families. Presented at the ATRA Annual Conference 2012, Phoenix, Arizona.
- Rodríguez, A., Kim, M., Buta, N., Wu, T.-B. (2009). Effects of running on life satisfaction in elementary school-aged children. Presented at the 2009 AAHPERD National Convention, Tampa, Florida.
- Buta, N., Rodríguez, A., Wu, T.-B. (2009). Relationship of television watching and video/computer gaming on social/personal outcomes. Presented at the 2009 AAHPERD National Convention, Tampa, Florida.
- Rodríguez, A., Buta, N., Látková, P., & Sun, Y.-Y. (2008, October 9). Relationship between anticipated leisure experience and activity participation. Paper presented at the 10th World Leisure Congress, Quebec, Canada.
- Rodríguez, A., Buta, N., & Wu, T.-B. (2008, June 12). Are some outdoor recreation activities better at helping individuals improve their quality of life? Paper presented at the 14th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America.
- Knollenberg, W., Látková, P., Vogt, C., & Rodríguez, A. (2008, March 30). Active transportation among elementary-aged students: Walking or biking to and from school. Presented at the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Bolton Landing, New York.
- Vogt, C., Rodríguez, A., et al. (2007, November 5). Navigating the evaluation component of the Safe Routes to School program. Presented at the 1st National Safe Routes to School conference, Dearborn, Michigan.
- Rodríguez, A., Paulsen, R. D., & Hudson, H. (2007, June 17). Development of a park and recreation master plan process with rural communities in mind. Paper presented at the 13th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, Park City, Utah, United States of America.
Publications
- Ross, A., Rodríguez, A., Searle, M. (2017) Associations between the physical, socio-cultural, and safety environments and active transportation to school. American Journal of Health Education, 3, 198-209.
- Rodríguez, A. (2016). The Latino Institute: An equitable recreation program in the City of Phoenix. In I. Schneider & B. D. Kivel (Eds.), Diversity and inclusion in the recreation profession: Organizational perspectives (3rd ed.). Urbana, IL: Sagamore Publishing.
- Pstross, M., Rodríguez, A., Knopf, R., & Paris, C. (2014). Empowering Latino parents to transform the education of their children. Education and Urban Society, 48(7), 650-671.
- Rodríguez, A., Ramirez, C., Rodriguez, L. (2014). The City of Phoenix Latino Institute: Bridging the gap between community needs and services. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 32(2), 62-72.
- Sun, Y.-Y., Rodríguez, A., Wu, J.-H., & Chuang, S.-T. (2013). Why hotel rooms were not full during a hallmark sporting event: The 2009 World Games experience. Tourism Management, 36, 469-479.
- Rodríguez, A. (2013). The Latino assumption: A research note. Leisure Sciences, 35(2), 184-189.
- Rodríguez, A., Larsen, D., Látková, P., Mertel, S. J. (2012). Development of Latino youth: Implications for park and recreation programs and services. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 30(1), 85-106.
- Harrolle, M., Trail, G., Rodríguez, A., & Jordan, J. (2010). Conative loyalty of Latino and non-Latino professional baseball fans. Journal of Sport Management, 24, 456-471.
- Rodríguez, A. & Vogt, C. A. (2009). Demographic, environmental, access, and attitude factors that influence walking to school by elementary school-aged children. Journal of School Health, 79(6), 255-261.
- Rodríguez, A., Látková, P., & Sun, Y.-Y. (2008). The relationship between leisure and life satisfaction: Application of activity and need theory. Social Indicators Research, 86(1), 163-175.
