Board

SRTS 2026 Board Members:

Amber Arrington, CTRS, CDP, FDRT, CRI – South Carolina (2015-present)

Amber Arrington, CTRS, is the Director of Community Programming at Martha Franks Retirement Community in Laurens, South Carolina. She joined the organization as a full-time team member in 2016 after serving as a recreational therapy consultant for two years. Prior to relocating to the Upstate, Amber was the Coordinator of Recreational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Institute of Psychiatry.

Amber earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Western Carolina University in 2006 and is a proud Delta Zeta alumna. She also holds certifications as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Integrative Wellness and Life Coach, and Certified Ross Instructor through Bob Ross Inc.

An active leader within the recreational therapy profession, Amber is a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and served as a contributing author for Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Recreational Therapy: A Training Manual. She has contributed to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) through the Job Analysis Task Force, Item Writing Committee, and Passing Score Committee.

Amber currently serves as Secretary of the South Carolina Recreational Therapy Society (SRTS) and is actively involved on several organizational committees. She also completed two consecutive terms (six years) on the executive board of the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE) and is recognized as an ATRA Quality Internship Supervisor.

Outside of work, Amber enjoys spending time with her toy schnauzer, Echo, caring for her ever-growing collection of houseplants, painting, and exploring all things creative. If you see someone enthusiastically documenting the conference with a camera in hand, it’s probably Amber capturing memories as the unofficial conference photographer.

Lindsay Bridgeman, MHA, LRT, CTRS-North Carolina (2026-Present)

Cliff Burnham, CTRS, FDRT – Kentucky (2004-present)

Director of Performance Improvement

Advisor to the Recreation & Expressive Therapies Department

Cliff Burnham has been a CTRS practitioner for over 25 years; professional work has concentrated in working with individuals in physical rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals. He has provided numerous professional presentations at state, regional, and national levels that promoted building better internship programs, developing innovative programming, and empowered professional advancement. Cliff has contributed to multiple organizations at the state, regional and national levels to help shape and define Recreation Therapy. He has served ATRA as a member-at-large and was the ATRA President during 2022-2023. He has served on the Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium board since 2004, with experience in the Chair and Conference Coordinator positions. He served on the CAAHEP-CARTE board (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs – Committee on Accreditation of Recreation Therapy Education) and continues to contribute to CAAHEP-CARTE as a site visitor; and has worked with the Joint-Taskforce for State Licensure since 2012 as the Kentucky liaison and current co-leader of the taskforce since 2017. As a result of these professional contributions, Cliff is recognized as a distinguished fellow by the National Academy of Recreational Therapists.

Kevin Enright, CTRS – Georgia (2013-present)

Kevin Enright lives in Augusta, GA and has been a CTRS since May 1995. Although he has worked in mental health, he has always enjoyed working with people with developmental disabilities. He started the Special Olympics GA (SOGA) Augusta Stars team in 1995. He serves as their Local Coordinator and head coach, which is primarily adults with intellectual disabilities who live in and around Augusta. In 2003, Kevin was selected to be the Team USA Southeast coach for bocce at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland. His team of two athletes and two unified partners came home with gold, silver, and bronze medals. Also in 2003, Kevin was awarded the Special Olympics GA Outstanding Local Coordinator. In 2013, he was a finalist for the Special Olympics North America Coach of the Year. In addition to leading the Augusta Stars, Kevin also serves as a clinician for SOGA as he travels throughout the state teaching other coaches various sports. Since 2003, he has served as the lead bocce official for the SOGA Fall Games. Kevin believes it’s important to focus on the abilities of his athletes and build from there. When he’s not focusing on the next Special Olympics competition he enjoys darts, baseball, swimming, hiking and enjoying time with friends and family.

Brent Hawkins, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT, CARSS-II -North Carolina (2019-present)

Brent L. Hawkins, PhD, LRT, CTRS, FDRT is a Professor and Recreation Therapy Program Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). He earned his doctoral degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a focus on Therapeutic Recreation from Clemson University in 2013. Prior to that, he completed his master’s (2009) and bachelor’s (2006) degrees in Recreational Therapy at East Carolina University.

Dr. Hawkins’s primary research focuses on the functional and quality-of-life outcomes of recreational therapy and other rehabilitation services for civilians and military veterans with service-connected injuries and disabilities. At UNCW and in the surrounding community, he also leads and supports adaptive sports and recreation initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in active living through recreation.

In addition to his research and community service, Dr. Hawkins is a prominent leader in recreational therapy. He has spearheaded numerous initiatives for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) to shape the future of education and professional development in the discipline. His contributions have been widely recognized, earning him the 2016 ATRA Scholarly Achievement Award, two ATRA Presidential Citations, and the 2018 ATRA Excellence in Education Award. He served as the Co-Chair of the ATRA Higher Education Task Force, Chair of the ATRA Academic Action Task Force, and currently serves as the Chair of the ATRA Higher Education Committee.

Dr. Hawkins has served on the Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium Board of Directors since 2019 and was inducted into the National Academy of Recreational Therapists in 2021. He currently serves on the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure.

Maureen Meador, CTRS – Georgia (2015-present)

Maureen Meador serves as the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator for Gwinnett County, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Clemson University.

Throughout her career, Maureen has been dedicated to expanding access to inclusive recreation and therapeutic programming. In addition to her therapeutic recreation experience, she holds certifications as a Water Safety Instructor Trainer and Lifeguard Instructor Trainer. She is also certified in the Swim Angelfish Swim Whisperers® Method of Adaptive Learn-to-Swim, equipping her to provide specialized instruction that helps individuals of all abilities develop water safety skills, confidence, and independence.

Maureen has been actively involved with SRTS for more than two decades, first presenting at the symposium in 2002 and joining the Board of Directors in 2015. As a past Board Chair and current board member, she is committed to advancing the profession through education, collaboration, and professional development.

In her free time, Maureen enjoys swimming, running, cycling, and spending time with her family.

Laura Kelly, CTRS, FDRT-Georgia (2026-Present)

Laura Kelly is the Owner of Empower Recreational Therapy, LLC, a mobile recreational therapy practice providing specialized individual and group services throughout the North Atlanta region across the continuum of care. In addition to her clinical work, Laura served as an Adjunct Instructor at Georgia Southern University for five years and continues to educate professionals through guest lectures and conference presentations nationwide. She currently serves on the national American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Social Prescription Task Force and the ATRA Older Adult Special Interest Group, contributing to initiatives that advance social prescribing and strengthen recreational therapy’s role in healthy aging. Laura has also held leadership positions at the state, regional, and national levels, supporting advocacy efforts and strategic growth within the profession. In recognition of her leadership and contributions, she was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) in 2022, one of the profession’s highest honors recognizing distinguished service, scholarship, and leadership. Through her clinical practice, scholarship, education, and professional service, Laura remains committed to advancing recreational therapy through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice.

Tania Santiago Perez, PhD, CTRS, WSI-Florida (2026-Present)

Tania Santiago Perez, PhD, CTRS, WSI, is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy Program at Florida International University (FIU). She earned her PhD in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a Recreational Therapy cognate from Clemson University, her master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Management-Recreational Therapy from FIU, and her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences from FIU. Passionate about preparing the next generation of recreational therapists, her teaching emphasizes experiential and service-learning approaches that foster community engagement, professional competence, and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Santiago Perez’s research focuses on adapted sports and aquatic-based recreational therapy interventions and their effects on health, participation, and quality of life among individuals with disabilities. Her current funded projects examine drowning prevention among children with autism and the health impacts of adapted aquatic interventions, including swimming instruction and scuba diving. Her scholarship has been recognized nationally, including the 2025 Best Manuscript Award from the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. She currently serves as a Faculty Fellow in Academic Planning and Accountability at FIU and has previously served as Program Leader for Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy and Interim Chair of the Department of Counseling, Recreation and School Psychology. She is actively involved in professional and community service, contributes to interprofessional initiatives, and supports the advancement of recreational therapy through scholarship, leadership, and mentorship. In her free time, Tania enjoys swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, cycling, traveling, and exploring new cuisines and cultures.

Markeeta Wilkerson, M.S., CTRS – Kentucky (2008-present)

Markeeta Wilkerson CTRS is the Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor at Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville Ky. She has worked there for over 20 years. She attended Murray State University were she obtained a B.S. in Recreation and Leisure Services with a T.R. emphasis and a M.S. in Organizational Communications. She is also certified as a National WRAP (Wellness, Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, A Certified Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Trainer, A Reiki Master and a Certified Public Manager. A Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, GOAL Mayor Appointed Committee, Focus 21st Century Minority Leadership , Hopkinsville Leadership,  ATRA, and  KATRA. She has been writing professionally since 1990, conducts state Wide Mental Health and Recovery training. She was the 2003 Ann James recipient.

Kathy Williams, CTRS- Virginia (2016-present)

Kathy graduated from Virginia Wesleyan College (1987), with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. She works for the City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation; as the Supervisor of Therapeutic Recreation Programs and Inclusion Services Unit and has been with the department since 1989. She takes pride in her work as a CTRS and enjoys providing opportunities for individuals to try new activities, learn skills and for them to be successful in a supportive and fun environment. Kathy believes in continuous learning and ensures her paraprofessional staff are provided with a variety of training options to enhance their skills. She is an active in professional organizations by serving on planning committees, boards and speaking at conferences & workshops. The organizations include: Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS), Mid-East Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation (in the 1990’s), Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium (SRTS), and Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership Council. For over 25 years, she worked the 4-H Summer Camp Program and served as the camp director. She has served on the SRTS Board since November of 2016. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, being outside and walking trails in various local and state parks.

Angela Wozencroft, Ph.D., CTRS – Tennessee (2015-present)

Angela J. Wozencroft, PhD, CTRS, CARSS 2, is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee and has over 20 years of experience as a practitioner and educator in RT. Dr. Wozencroft completed her master’s at the University of Tennessee and her doctorate at Clemson University. She has served on the board of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), the Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium (SRTS), and as a committee chair for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). Her research focuses on professional issues in Recreational Therapy, organizational management and compassion fatigue of Recreational Therapy professionals, and the benefits and outcomes of two major service-learning programs offered in the Recreational Therapy program at the University of Tennessee. In her free time, she’s a soccer and baseball mom to her twins, loves boating with her husband, and playing with her goldendoodle.