Derek W Whaley

Dr Whaley earned his Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University in May 2024. As a licensed recreational therapist in the state of North Carolina and a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since 2010, he currently serves as an assistant professor of Recreational Therapy here at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His research training and expertise have been shaped by ten years of clinical experience working with individuals with disabilities, primarily in the behavioral health setting, grounded within a person-centered and strengths-based approach. Dr Whaley is committed to teaching and developing evidence-based practices that can contribute to positive health outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Above all, his goal as an educator is to establish and use research to train the next generations of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.

Education

B.S. in Recreational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Western Carolina University.
M.S. in Recreational Therapy, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University.
Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University.

Specialization in Teaching

Dr Whaley translates his passion for RT in the classroom by sharing practical experiences and skills with his students. At the same time, he focuses on fostering safe, inclusive, and accessible learning environments. These elements are not only vital for the academic success of each student but also parallel the core principles of the RT field.

Research Interests

Dr Whaley scholarly activity is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through the prescription of adaptive sports modalities and the development of evidence-based RT practices. The primary goal of his research is to generate novel knowledge that enhances understanding of the impact and significance of adaptive sports and other RT modalities, ultimately contributing to improved well-being and enriched leisure lifestyles for individuals with disabilities. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Dr Whaley has developed expertise in various research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. He particularly prefers mixed methods research for its ability to address the "what" and "why" of complex questions.

Professional Service

In addition to teaching and research, Dr Whaley is committed to professional service. He is a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, serves as Co-Chair of the ATRA Research Institute, ATRA Research Committee- Member at Large, reviews for multiple peer-reviewed journals (Therapeutic Recreation Journal, the ATRA Annual, and the American Journal of Recreational Therapy, Journal of Sport Behavior, and Journal of Youth Development), and recently was a Member at Large for the Virginia State Therapeutic Recreation Association’s Board. These roles demonstrate his dedication to advancing recreational therapy locally and nationally.

Honors & Awards

During his doctoral studies, Dr Whaley received a fellowship from The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute Graduate Fellow, which supported his research on adaptive sports and broader RT topics. His teaching expertise was recognized with the 2024 Fran McGuire Excellence in Teaching Award, reflecting his commitment to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. Additionally, in 2023 he received the Graduate Student Award of Excellence as well as the ATRA Peg Connelly Scholar award.