CMU Department of Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services Administration

10/09/2026

RPL 205 (Outdoor Leadership) traveled to Camp Miniwanca to get trained in low ropes facilitation. In addition to the great day of hands on learning, students were trained by RPL outdoor recreation alums Ken Berden, Sarah Christensen and Josh O’Henly! FIRED UP FOREVER! 🔥👆

10/06/2026

ELITE EIGHT! 🔥👆🎱 The Event & Recreation Management (ERM) program in the RPL department at CMU has been recognized with a GOLD Pinnacle Award from the International Festival & Events Association in the category of “Best Event Management Bachelor’s Degree” for EIGHT consecutive award cycles! So proud of the students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni that make this major so incredible and impactful for our graduates! FIRST IN FINCH!🥇

10/05/2026

The RPL department is excited to be part of the new Communications for Risk & Emergency minor starting in Fall, 2027! The Event Management track includes RPL 222, 430 and 511. FIRED UP IN FINCH! 🔥👆

10/03/2026

Great to host our annual Advisory Board Meeting and Intern Seminar in historic Finch yesterday! Michigan-based interns heard from a keynote speaker and discussed their experiences with faculty, alums and current students, while each program’s Advisory Board met to gather input on curriculum, industry standards and current trends! FIRED UP IN FINCH! 🔥👆

10/02/2026

Eleven students in RLA 180 (Introduction to Backpacking) did a 13 mile weekend trip on the Manistee River/North Country Trail! FUN FROM FINCH! 🔥👆🏕️

10/01/2026

Six RPL scholarships (13 total awards!) are now available via Scholarship Universe! Current students have until 12/21 to apply! FUNDS IN FINCH 🔥👆💰

09/28/2026

A huge congratulations to Amber Simms who received the Director’s Award for Safety and Health Achievement - the highest award in safety someone can earn working for the National Park Service! This award recognizes an employee or team that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving occupational safety and health within the National Park Service through significant achievements in the cultivation of a safe and healthful work environment for employees. Amber collaborated closely with park and regional leadership to identify emerging needs, conduct fire and life safety inspections and support of special event safety planning. Amber, the Safety & Occupational Health Manager with the George Washington Memorial Parkway, graduated from CMU in 2020 with an Outdoor & Environmental Recreation major and a Sustainability & Environmental Policy minor. CONGRATS Amber! 🔥👆Amber Simms

09/26/2026

09/25/2026

We are super proud and excited to announce that one of our own has become an NCIS (like the TV show 📺) special agent! Reagan Olsen (2019 grad with an outdoor & environmental recreation major & event management minor) did her Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) internship at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Boise, ID & then went onto become an Afloat Recreation Specialist (Fun Boss) supporting the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Norfolk, VA, she went on a 10 month deployment on the USS George W. Bush aircraft carrier providing recreation for 6,500 soldiers! The NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is a civilian-run federal law enforcement agency reporting to the Secretary of the Navy. They investigate death, sexual assault, domestic violence/violent crime, drugs, child exploitation, fraud/economic crime, counterterrorism, counterintelligence & fight cybercrime involving the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. CONGRATULATIONS Reagan! 🔥👆Reagan Mari

09/24/2026

Awesome to watch the partnership between CMU Inclusive Recreation and Connections That Count! We were FIRED UP to host them this week! 🔥👆