Laura M. Morris

Dr. Laura M. Morris is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she has taught since 2008. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University, focusing her dissertation on the alignment of sport-related values between NCAA Division I athletics directors and university presidents. She also holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Sport Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

At UNCW, Dr. Morris teaches a wide range of courses, including Happiness and Well-Being, Campus Recreation and Sports Administration, and Risk Management and Liability in Recreation Services. Her teaching emphasizes experiential learning, mentorship, and the integration of leisure and wellness principles into students’ personal and professional development. She has also led international study abroad experiences that explore global perspectives on recreation, sport, and health.

Dr. Morris’s research examines the intersections of leisure, well-being, and recreation, with published work on student-athlete well-being, campus recreation, and innovative approaches to happiness education. She has been recognized with UNCW’s Lecturer of the Year Award and has presented nationally on topics ranging from workplace happiness to mental health strategies in higher education.

Dr. Morris is an active member of professional organizations, including the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, the Society of Parks and Recreation Educators, and Building Healthy Academic Communities. Through her teaching, research, and service, she remains dedicated to advancing health, happiness, and resilience in both academic and community settings.

Education

B.S. in Recreation Management, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S. in Recreation & Sport Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ed.D in Educational Leadership, East Carolina University

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Laura M. Morris is a dedicated educator whose teaching philosophy blends academic rigor with experiential learning, mentorship, and the promotion of well-being. At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she has taught an extensive range of courses in recreation, sport, and health since 2008, shaping the academic and personal growth of hundreds of students each year.

Her teaching portfolio spans foundational courses such as Leisure and Society and Introduction to Recreation Services, advanced topics like Campus Recreation and Sports Administration, Risk Management and Liability in Recreation Services, and applied experiences including Practicum in Recreation Services and Study Abroad. She also pioneered courses focused on happiness and well-being, reflecting her commitment to integrating positive psychology and wellness into higher education.

Dr. Morris emphasizes applied learning, often incorporating case studies, fieldwork, and collaborative projects that connect theory to practice. She has designed and led international study abroad opportunities, giving students a global perspective on recreation, health, and cultural approaches to well-being. Her mentorship extends beyond the classroom through extensive academic advising, supervision of honors theses, and collaborative research with undergraduate and graduate students.

In recognition of her impact on student learning, Dr. Morris received UNCW’s Lecturer of the Year Award. She is also a frequent guest lecturer and workshop facilitator, sharing insights on happiness strategies, leadership, and professional preparation.

Through her teaching, Dr. Morris seeks to inspire students not only to excel in their professional careers but also to embrace lifelong learning, happiness, and resilience.

Research Interests

Dr. Laura M. Morris’s research centers on the relationship between leisure, recreation, and well-being, with a particular emphasis on how structured and unstructured leisure experiences contribute to happiness, health, and resilience. Her scholarly work integrates themes of subjective well-being, campus recreation, and innovative approaches to positive psychology in educational and community settings.

She has published extensively on student populations, including investigations into the well-being of student-athletes, sport club participants, and college students engaged in recreational sport. Her studies have contributed to understanding how leisure-time physical activity fosters positive mental health, reduces burnout, and enhances overall life satisfaction. Notably, her collaborations have applied and tested theoretical frameworks such as the DRAMMA model of leisure, exploring how dimensions like detachment, mastery, meaning, and affiliation impact subjective well-being.

In addition, Dr. Morris has co-authored research examining the intersection of wellness and contemporary leisure contexts, such as motivations for physical activity at craft breweries and the impact of learning modality shifts on student engagement in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her applied projects include funded studies on campus recreation participation, psychological well-being, and the effects of online happiness courses.

Her current research interests include the role of leisure in promoting mental health, the application of happiness science in higher education, innovative approaches to student well-being, and the use of “third spaces” such as recreation, sport, and community settings to foster belonging and resilience.

Dr. Morris regularly presents her findings at national conferences and actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in collaborative research projects.

Professional Service

Dr. Morris currently serves as Chair of Rho Phi Lambda, the national recreation honor society, where she fosters student leadership and professional development. Within her department, Dr. Morris has chaired and participated in multiple faculty search committees, curriculum initiatives, and student-focused programs such as scholarship and award committees. Her active involvement extends to the College of Health and Human Services, where she has served on committees addressing youth engagement, faculty wellness, and curriculum development.

Beyond the university, Dr. Morris has been an engaged member of professional associations including the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), North Carolina Recreation & Park Association, and the Society of Parks and Recreation Educators. She has contributed to conferences, workshops, and panels, often bridging scholarship and practice by sharing applied strategies for well-being, leadership, and recreation management. Dr. Morris has also served on national committees with NIRSA.

Her service also includes mentoring students through guest lectures, leadership workshops, and professional networking opportunities, as well as supporting community-based initiatives such as wellness programs and workforce development seminars.

Community Engagement

Dr. Morris spent five years with the City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, where she helped guide policy, programming, and community initiatives that strengthened local recreation services. In addition, she has supported youth development and community engagement through her involvement with the Police Athletic League, advancing programs that use sport and recreation as pathways to mentorship, safety, and positive youth outcomes.

Beyond these leadership roles, Dr. Morris frequently shares her expertise through invited workshops, keynote addresses, and continuing education sessions on happiness, leadership, and well-being. She has partnered with colleagues and organizations on wellness-focused initiatives and has contributed to projects designed to enhance quality of life through leisure and physical activity.

Honors & Awards

Dr. Morris received UNCW’s Lecturer of the Year Award.