Athens, Ga. – Gwynn Powell, an associate professor in the University of Georgia’s program in recreation and leisure studies, has been elected to the national board of directors of the American Camp Association (ACA).
Powell, a faculty member in the College of Education’s department of counseling and human development services, will serve a three-year term on the board as a member-at-large.
She is the current chair of the ACA’s annual national conference, past chair of the research symposium and is a recipient of its 2006 National Honor Award.
Powell was named the College of Education’s Teacher of the Year in 2005.
She, along with four students in recreation and leisure studies, pioneered UGA’s first study-abroad program in Russia in the summer of 2005 in collaboration with Camp Counselor USA and Camp Counselor Russia and with a grant from UGA’s Office of Public Service and Outreach.
Powell and the UGA students spent a month working as counselors at Camp Forest Fairytale and Camp Cooperator in the Mari El Republic. Though the language barrier was a challenge at first, the Americans soon adapted, communicating with hand gestures and then comparing notes with each other. Powell will lead another group of UGA students to Russia this summer.
Powell joined the UGA faculty in 2001. She earned her Ph.D. in park, recreation and tourism management from Clemson University.