Cassandra Reyes

Cassandra Reyes serves as a Lecturer in Recreation and Leisure Studies within the College of Health & Human Services at California State University, Long Beach, while concurrently holding the position of Senior Recreation Director II for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks with 22 years of municipal service experience.

Her educational qualifications include:

• M.S. in Leadership & Management from the University of La Verne (2012)
• B.A. in Dance Performance/Choreography from the University of California, Los Angeles (1995)

Reyes' research investigates Community Recreation, Leadership & Equity, Event Management, and Urban & Municipal Recreation through a lens of inclusive programming and operational innovation. Her scholarship emphasizes practical solutions for public recreation settings, particularly in underserved urban communities, advocating for technology integration and equitable access to leisure services while maintaining community-centered values derived from her dance background.

Analysis of her publications (2003-2014) reveals a progressive research trajectory from foundational skate park operations toward forward-looking technological adaptation. Early works address staffing models and competition-based programming for specialized facilities, evolving into systemic considerations of post-construction park management and digital transformation in recreation services. These publications collectively demonstrate consistent expertise in municipal recreation management with increasing focus on innovation and future trends.

No scientific awards or honors are documented in the provided materials, though her dual academic-professional role represents significant field contribution.

Reyes' teaching philosophy centers on developing students' professional identity and community advocacy through experiential learning, drawing directly from her municipal experience. She emphasizes creating environments where students cultivate positive values toward recreation professions, whether as future practitioners, users, or policy supporters. While specific grant funding is unmentioned, her City of Los Angeles position suggests applied research opportunities in municipal recreation systems.

Her professional identity bridges academic theory and municipal recreation practice, leveraging two decades of frontline experience to prepare students for real-world challenges in community recreation management and leadership.