Past members of the PARC Lab can now be found across a wide range of professional settings. From assistant professors to civil servants with the National Park Service, PARC Lab alumni have carried forward the skills, training, and interdisciplinary perspective developed in the lab into impactful careers in research, management, and public service.
Dr. Elizabeth Himschoot
Elizabeth received a dual-title PhD in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management and Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society from Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab in 2025.
Molly Lane, M.S.
Molly received a dual-master’s degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management and Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society from Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab in 2025.
Molly now works at Yosemite National Park as an Interpretive Ranger
Timothy Benally, M.S.
Originating from his home Navajo Nation, his academic focus revolves around experiential and service-learning initiatives in university collaborations, intertwining his close community ties into his education. Tim received a dual-master’s degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management and Transdisciplinary Research on Environment and Society from Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab in 2024.
Tim now serves as a Government and Legislative Services Officer for the Navajo Nation Washington Office
Dr. Stephanie Buckley
Stephanie Buckley earned her PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management & Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment. She received her MS in Wildlife Science at Texas Tech University and her BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia. She is now a Human Dimensions Specialist at State of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
Erinn Drage, M.S.
Erinn completed her MS in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management as a member of the PARC Lab. She has a background in environmental sciences, wilderness advocacy, tourism, outdoor recreation, and documentary filmmaking.
Dr. Will Rice
Will completed his MS and PhD at Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab. He is now an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation and Wildland Management in the Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Program and Department of Society and Conservation at the University of Montana.
Dr. Jenn Newton
Jenn received a dual-title PhD in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment from Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab. She is now the Social Scientist at Grand Teton National Park.
Dr. Lauren Ferguson
Lauren earned her MS and PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management at Penn State as a member of the PARC Lab. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire.
Adam Gibson
Adam Gibson was a member of the PARC Lab during his graduate studies at Colorado State University. He now serves as the Social Scientist at Acadia National Park.