Rodney B. Dieser

Rodney B. Dieser is a Professor in Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa's College of Education. He holds dual licensure as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), practicing 10–12 hours weekly at Wartburg College. His career spans over 30 years with expertise in leisure studies, mental health counseling, and nonprofit leadership.

• Education: PhD, Physical Education & Recreation (University of Alberta, 2002); MA Mental Health Counseling (UNI, 2014); MS Parks, Recreation, & Tourism (University of Utah, 1997)

Research focuses on: leisure's role in mental health (youth/emerging adulthood), cross-cultural therapeutic recreation, heritage tourism, inclusive recreation for disabilities, historical leisure foundations, and Bruce Springsteen's moral narratives. Over 100 academic articles, 30 professional articles, and 7 books published.

Award-winning work includes the 2024 Loren Horton Award for historical research on Cedar Rock State Park and 2024 Ney C. Landrum Park History Award. Served as program coordinator for the Master's in Philanthropy & Nonprofit Development (2008–2018), mentoring over 50 graduate students.

Professional roles: Editor of International Forum for Logotherapy; Adviser to Mayo Clinic's Dolores Jean Lavins Center; President of Friends of Cedar Rock State Park. Practitioner experience includes addiction rehab, homeless outreach, and school district inclusion services.