A professor in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina is making history as the first African American woman to be inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS).
Corliss Outley, professor in the department of parks, recreation, and tourism management and director of the Race, Ethnicity, Youth and Social Equity Collaboratory, is the first African American woman in TALS’ 43-year history to be named a Fellow of the Academy.
TALS is an international organization dedicated to advancing leisure studies through research, education, and advocacy. The Academy represents several disciplines, including recreation, tourism, hospitality, sports, and outdoor education.
“It is an honor to be recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences,” said Dr. Outley. “To represent our field and the Academy in this way is truly a privilege and highlight of my career.”
Dr. Outley, who joined the Clemson faculty in 2020, teaches and mentors students in areas such as youth development, cultural practices, recreation, and leisure studies. Her research investigates the negative impact the sociopolitical system has on Black youth and the structural influence on human behavior as well as the unique challenges faced by Black youths in recreational settings.
Professor Outley is a graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana, where she majored in biology. She earned a master’s degree in forestry from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in recreation and natural resources management from Texas A&M University.
Dr. Outley is phenomenal. Congrats!!