Dr. Sue Myllykangas

Professor

Education

• Ph.D. Leisure Behavior; Indiana University,  2005
  • Dissertation: “Meaning of Leisure: A case study of older women with HIV/AIDS and their female family caregivers.”
• M.A. Gerontology Management/Administration; University of Northern Colorado,  2000
  • Thesis: “Older Adults’ Flow Conditions: Recreational Activities Versus ADL/IADL Activities.”
• B.S. Recreation Management/Administration; University of Southern Colorado, 1983 

Certifications

• CTRS – Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
• Dementia: Train the Trainer Certification

Courses Taught

• 45-216 Gerontology
• 45-245 Inclusion in Recreation & Sport
• 45-243 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
• 45-315 Social Aspects of Aging
• 45-345 Therapeutic Recreation Program Design
• 45-620 Advanced Programming
• 45-665 Recreation & Sport for Active Adults
• 45-499 Internship in Parks and Recreation Mgt
• 45-498 Internship in Therapeutic Recreation
• 45-355 Field Experience in Recreation Sport Mgt

Academic Interests

• Teaching & Learning: Contextual Learning, Problem-based Learning, Experiential Learning
• Parks & Recreation Management/Administration
• Therapeutic Recreation Management/Administration
• Gerontology Management/Administration

Scholarly Activity

• Shadinger, D., Katsion, J., Myllykangas, S., & Case, D. (2020). The impact of a positive, self-talk statement on public speaking anxiety. College Teaching, 68(1), 5-11.
• Bateman, M., Hallmon, A W., and Myllykangas, S. A. (2020). What to do with Interns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Missouri Parks and Recreation Magazine, 28-29.
• Hallmon, A.W., Myllykangas, S. A. & Nagata, S. (2020) A Profession-Based Learning Approach to Teaching Contemporary Parks and Recreation Students, SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, DOI: 10.1080/1937156X.2020.1771231
• Myllykangas, S.A., Hallmon, A., Young, H. (2019). Needs Assessment of Nodaway County Seniors and Caregivers. Nodaway County Senior Citizens Senate, Inc.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (August, 2017). A lifetime of memories…and a career. Camp Business, Nov/Dec. 2017, pg. 10- 11.
• Myllykangas, S.A., Church, W. & Kissock, S. (February, 2017). Missouri Association of Faculty Senates Strategic Action Plan. MAFS, Jefferson City, MO (Invited).
• Cho, D., Myllykangas, S.A., Tapps, T.N, & Baghurst, T. (Fall, 2017). Volunteering with aging populations and gerontological job expectations of college students. OAHPERD Journal.
• Myllykangas, S.A., Foose, A. K., & Ardivino, P. (2017). Chapter 9: Developmental Disabilities. In Robertson, T. & Long, T. (Eds) Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation: Perceptions, philosophies, and practices for the 21^st century (2^nd Ed.), Champagne, IL: Human Kinetics Publishing (Invited).
• Gilley, D., Eiswert, J., Haile, B., Sterling, L., & Myllykangas, S. (2016). Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws. Northwest Missouri State University.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (2016). “Skin in the game: Best practices in shared governance.” Missouri Association of Faculty Senates Newsletter (Invited – Online – www.mafs.org).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (2016). Undergraduate Recreation Program Internship Manuals – (Updated to meet accreditation standards). Northwest Missouri State University.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (2016). Undergraduate Recreation Program Field Experience Manuals – (Updated to meet accreditation standards). Northwest Missouri State University.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (2016). Practicum in Aging Manual – (Updated to address changes in requirements). Northwest Missouri State University.

Book Reviews

• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2016). Fun Stories about Successful Aging (revised), Cox, Cognella Publishing Co. (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (October, 2016). Community Resources for Older Adults, Wacker, Sage Publishing Co. (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (August, 2015). Older Adult’s Fun Stories about Successful Aging, Cox, Burdick, and Maguire, Sage Publishing Co. (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (May, 2015). Social Work Practice with Older Adults, Chonody & Teater, Sage Publishing Co. (Invited)

• Myllykangas, S.A. (2020, October 27-29). Elder Orphans: What can Parks & Recreation do to assist this growing population? National Recreation & Parks Association Conference, Orlando, FL (Conference Cancelled).
• Hallmon, A.W., & Myllykangas, S.A. (2020, October 27-29). Community Engagement Using Well Managed Volunteers. National Recreation & Parks Association Conference, Orlando, FL (Conference Cancelled)
• Ferguson, J. & Myllykangas, S. A. (February, 2016). Thirty years of evaluation: From Dept. of HPERD to School of Health Science and Wellness. Recreation, Parks, Tourism & Recreation Therapy Academic Leadership Meeting, Wrightsville Beach, NC.

State & Regional Presentations

• Myllykangas, S.A. (November 14, 2022). “But they might die”: Teaching TR students the value of working with older adults. Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November 14, 2022). Home or God’s Waiting Room?: Purposeful Therapeutic Recreation Interventions for Frail Older Adults. Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. & McGary, D. (November 14, 2022). Practice Guidelines of the use of Service, Emotional Support, and Therapy Animals: Important Differentiations for Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (Virtual – November and December 2021). Ships Passing in the Night: TR Advocacy for Caregivers. Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference. (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (April, 2020). Times they are a changing’: Identifying needs, filling gaps, and providing
• quality therapeutic recreation services. 2020 Midwest TR Symposium, (Accepted but Conference Cancelled due to COVID)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (April 2020). Space Invaders: We’re not the enemy! Mentorship as part of your role as a manager and advocate for Therapeutic Recreation. 2020 Midwest TR Symposium (Accepted but Conference Cancelled due to COVID)
• Myllykangas, S. A. & McGary, D. (April, 2020). Space Invaders: We’re not the enemy! Mentorship as part of
• your role as a manager and advocate for Therapeutic Recreation. 2019 Illinois Therapeutic Recreation
• Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2019). Times they are a changing’: Identifying needs, filling gaps, and providing quality therapeutic recreation services. 2019 Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S. A. & McGary, D. (November, 2019). Space Invaders: We’re not the enemy! Mentorship as part of your role as a manager and advocate for Therapeutic Recreation. 2019 Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (October 10, 2019). Reluctant participants: How to increase participation in your programs. 2019 Kansas Parks and Recreation Conference, Salina, KS (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (May, 2019). Reluctant participants: How to increase participation and improve programming for older participants. 2019 Age Positive Conference, Kansas City, MO (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (April 6, 2019). A teacher in disguise: Therapeutic Recreation, Trellis Center for Autism at Kids TLC, Staff Training, Olathe, KS (Invited)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (March, 2019). “Elder Orphans: Can RT/TR assist this growing population, Midwest TR Symposium, Independence, MO.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (March, 2019). “Adapted therapeutic gardening: Assessing needs, designing spaces and
• creating purposeful interventions” Midwest TR Symposium, Independence, MO.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2018). “Elder Orphans: Can RT/TR assist this growing population?” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2018). “Adapted therapeutic gardening: Assessing needs, designing spaces and creating purposeful interventions” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2017). “Using Memories to Improve Memory Care: Therapeutic Recreation
• Interventions for People with Dementia.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S. A. (November, 2017). “Not today…Go away!”: Motivating older adults to participate in your programs.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2017). “If you don’t document it…it didn’t happen!: Creating a professional network to document and share the outcomes of Therapeutic Recreation interventions.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (August, 2017). “Purposeful Interventions: A Practical Way of Meeting Needs While Providing Residents What They Want.” Activity Directors Association of Missouri Regional Conference, Independence, MO. (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (March, 2017). “Building a bridge: Community recreation as therapy.” Missouri Parks and Recreation Conference, Branson, MO.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2016). “Chronic illness: The spiritual side of therapeutic recreation.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2016). “Generational flow: Purposeful activities to meet a variety of needs.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL.
• Myllykangas, S.A. (November, 2016). “Current issues in aging care: Information for Therapeutic Recreation practitioners.” Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Association Conference, Alsip, IL. (Filled in for speaker)
• Myllykangas, S.A. (October, 2016). Wrestling the saber-toothed tiger: Diversity awareness.” Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Annual Leadership Conference, Lake of the Ozarks, MO (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (September, 2016). Generational flow - Purposeful activities to meet a variety of needs. Activity Directors Association of Missouri Conference, St. Joseph, MO (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (April, 2016). “Therapeutic recreation internships: Supervision, mentorship and learning.” Nebraska Parks and Recreation Association Conference, Omaha, NE (Invited).
• Myllykangas, S.A. (April, 2016). “Current issues in aging care: Information for Therapeutic Recreation practitioners.” Nebraska Parks and Recreation Association Conference, Omaha, NE (Invited).

Student Group Advisement

• Advisor, Parks & Recreation
• Dementia: Train the Trainer 2015-2017

Other Professional Experiences

• Chairperson, Leadership Northwest Missouri Board of Directors
• Primary Investigator on several grants with the Heartland Foundation and assistant on a FIPSE: Funds for the Improvement of Secondary Education grant with the Department of Education

Other

• Working to create healthy, age friendly communities & environments