Sam Keith, PhD

“True education is a kind of never ending story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

• Teaching & Education

  PhD, Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, University of Georgia
  MS, Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, Clemson University
  BS, Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University

• Professional Experience

  I joined the North Greenville faculty in April 2022. Previously, I have worked as an outdoor recreation instructor, research and teaching assistant, minister at a local church, camp counselor, rock climbing instructor, construction project manager, among others.

• Selected Publications
  • Larson, L. R., Rivera-Zuniga, J., Garst, B., Keith, S., Sudman, D., & Browne, L. (2023). “Going Green”: Investigating Environmental Sustainability Practices in Camp Organizations across the United States. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2023-11684
  • Wynveen, C. J., Woosnam, K. M., Keith, S. J., & Barr, J. (2021). Support for wilderness preservation: An investigation of the roles of place attachment and environmental worldview. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 35, 100417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2021.100417
  • Vayer, V., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., Lee, K. J., Von Furstenberg, R., Choi, D., Stevenson, K., Ahlers, A., Anhalt-Depies, C., Bruskotter, J., Chizinski, C., Dayer, A., Farmer, J., Ghasemi, B., Gigliotti, L., Graefe, A., Irwin, K., Keith, S. J., Kelly, M.,… Woosnam, K. M. (2021). Diverse university students across the United States reveal promising pathways to hunter recruitment and retention. Journal of Wildlife Management. http://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22055
  • Landon, A. C., Woosnam, K. M., Kyle, G. T., & Keith, S. J. (2020). Psychological needs satisfaction and attachment to natural landscapes. Environment and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916520916255
  • Lum, C. S., Keith, S. J., & Scott, D. (2020). The long-distance hiking social world along the Pacific Crest Trail. Journal of Leisure Research, 51(2), 165-182. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2019.1640095
  • Keith, S. J., & Boley, B. (2019). Importance-Performance Analysis of Local Resident Greenway Users: Findings from Three Atlanta BeltLine Neighborhoods. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 44(2019), 126426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.126426
  • Keith, S. J., Larson, L. R., Shafer, C. S., Hallo, J. C., & Fernandez, M. (2018). Greenway use and preferences in diverse urban communities: Implications for trail design and management. Landscape and Urban Planning, 172, 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.12.007
• Selected Awards Received

  Mr. Terence and Ms. Sheila Green NRRT Award (2019), Warnell School of Forestry and Natural
  Resources, University of Georgia

  Young Alumni Scholarship for Leadership Training (2018), Warnell School of Forestry and Natural
  Resources, University of Georgia

  Graduate Student Award of Excellence (2016), College of Health, Education and Human Development, Clemson University

• My Story

  I grew up near San Antonio, Texas where I grew fond of the outdoors and came to know Christ. I’ve been in Upstate South Carolina since 2014. In my teaching, I strive to be faithful to the theological, historical, and practical aspects of parks, conservation, and outdoor recreation management. I’m particularly interested in the role outdoor recreation and natural resources play in individuals and communities. I’ve been a faculty member at NGU since 2022 and am delighted to teach at an institution that encourages the integration of faith and learning!