Mark A. Gibson

Mark A. Gibson serves as Professor of Recreation and Outdoor Education and Professional Internship Coordinator at Western Colorado University's Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department. He has been teaching at the university since 2000, developing innovative approaches to outdoor education while coordinating adult degree completion programs.

Education:

• Ed.D. in Outdoor Physical Education Pedagogy, University of Northern Colorado
• MS in Resources Management, Colorado State University
• BA in Outdoor Recreation, Eastern Washington University

Gibson's research and practice focus on creating transformative outdoor experiences that develop industry leaders while promoting environmental stewardship. His work integrates recreational music making into wilderness settings and emphasizes community engagement through outdoor recreation. He has pioneered programs connecting academic study with real-world river conservation and international expeditionary learning.

Gibson actively mentors students through professional internships and has led semester-long international expeditions to Chile and Costa Rica. His community engagement includes instrumental roles in developing the Gunnison Whitewater Park, founding the Gunnison River Festival, and serving on the Adaptive Sports Center board in Crested Butte. He also initiated the Yampa River Awareness Project to protect Colorado's last major free-flowing river system.

Based in Gunnison Valley, Gibson champions the region's unique outdoor recreation opportunities and community-driven conservation efforts, leveraging Western Colorado University's mountain campus as a living laboratory for experiential education.