Pat Stephens Williams, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Forest Recreation & Interpretation

stephensp@sfasu.edu 936-468-2196 (CST) Education: Ph.D. in English/Human Dimensions of Natural Resources/Natural Resource Communications and Education MS in Forestry - Human Dimensions/Natural Resource Communications and Education Southern Illinois University - Carbondale MA in English - Creative Writing and Rhet/Comp Instruction BA in English/Journalism/Marketing/Advertising Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Areas of Specialization:
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Communications in Natural Resources
Natural Resource Education
Resource Interpretation
Forest Recreation

Bio:
Dr. Pat Stephens Williams joined the faculty of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry in August of 2004. She is a Human Dimensions in Natural Resources specialist, and teaches courses in the Master of Science in Resource Interpretation program, as well as in the undergraduate recreation program. Prior to arriving in Nacogdoches, she spent three years as an Assistant Professor in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas – Monticello teaching recreation and human dimensions classes, serving as the faculty advisor for the Society of American Foresters student chapter, and working with constituency groups to learn about and resolve issues concerning forestry related activities. Before UAM, Dr. Stephens taught at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.

Pursuing an interest in all aspects of the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Dr. Stephens completed her doctorate at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2002 with a specialization in natural resource communications. She received an M.S. in Forestry in 1999, an M.A. in English in 1993, and a B.A. in 1990. Her professional projects show the diversity of challenges under the umbrella of Human Dimensions and include, but are not limited to, a wildlife study concerning stakeholders’ attitudes about elk, oral histories of the Arkansas Post delta region, African-American recreation participation in our national parks, current education practices in preparation of our natural resource professionals, and utilizing natural resource professionals to improve public education about forestry. Dr. Stephens is very excited about having the opportunity to join the SFA faculty, a professional goal of hers, and looks forward to working with the other faculty members and serving the students, the community, and the profession.

A Forester's Communications Handbook

Current Research Projects:

1. Perceptions of consulting foresters in Texas concerning the educational needs of forestry students
2. The state of forestry education in America for the 21st century
3. Communications and Human Dimensions education/preparation in baccalaureate programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters
4. Profiling the public lands hunter in Texas
5. National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) in US Forests and Grasslands in Texas
6. Wilderness education concerning the Wilderness of US Forests and Grasslands in Texas
7. Latino Legacy - More Kids in the Woods - US Forest Service
8. A Forest for Every Classroom - Place-Based Learning - US Forest Service

Research Projects:

1. Stakeholders' attitudes towards the reintroduction of Black Bear in East Texas
2. Stakeholders' attitudes about elk in the Buffalo National River region
3. Participation and Perceived Needs in Recreation of African Americans at the Arkansas Post National Memorial
4. African American oral histories of the Arkansas delta region surrounding the Arkansas Post National Memorial
5. Community and formal education evaluation of wildfire education success

Recent Publications:
Stephens Williams, P.S., K. Floress, and J. Burde. (2004). Sparking the flame of history through oral histories. The Interpreter- Legacy, July/August.

Stephens Williams, P.S. (in press). Book review in press of Wildlife viewing: A management handbook. Human Dimensions of Wildlife Journal.

Parker, Stephen, P. Stephens Williams, and D. White. (2004). Stakeholders’ attitudes about elk in the occupied elk range in Arkansas. Presentation and Proceedings for 9th Annual Eastern Elk Management Workshop. Knoxville, TN. March 28-31, 2004.

Stephens Williams, P.S. (2004). Following the trail through the woods – or do forest resources instructors really care about improving communications in their classrooms. Presentation and proceedings for Conference on College Composition and Communication. San Antonio, Texas. March 24-27, 2004.

Stephens Williams, P.S., K. Floress, J. Burde (2003). Sparking the flame of histories through oral histories. Presentation and proceedings for National Interpreters Workshop 2003. Reno, NV. November 11-15, 2003.

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