Our mission
We lead through our critical examination of leisure, broadly defined, and its relationship to individual and community well-being.
Our core values
Our core values are fundamental principles of our department that guide our behaviour and help us understand what matters in our day-to-day actions at work. Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) commits to the following core values as it strives to make a positive difference in the lives of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners.
Excellence
We focus on excellence every day. We strive for high standards in teaching, research, and service. We recognize the contributions of our team in these areas.
Community
We care for one another and treat each other with respect. We are inclusive, supportive, kind, and fair in our interactions with others.
Collaboration
In working together and with community partners, we care about diverse voices. We are curious and explore different perspectives in an open-minded and respectful way. We work together to seek innovation in our work.
Autonomy
We value flexibility in our work that allows us to be responsive and nimble. We have the freedom to explore, think, and innovate. We are inspired by creativity and curiosity in our work.
Courage
We are courageous and bold. We create new ways of looking at the world and challenging existing practices and approaches to find inspiration in what we do.
Our 2020-2025 strategic plan (PDF)
The department's strategic plan includes the vision, strategic pillars, strategic objectives and initiatives that create the pathway forward over the next five years.
Our vision
Advancing well-being through leisure to create a just and healthy world.
Strategic pillars and objectives
Our strategic pillars represent key opportunities for transformational change in how we work. These cross-cutting thematic areas enhance our academic impact in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Our vision and objectives will be achieved through the following strategic pillars.
Pillar 1: Excellence through high-impact teaching practices and meaningful student experience
- Objective 1: Advance curricular innovation for each undergraduate academic plan through equitable and affirming experiential and work-integrated learning.
- Objective 2: Review and evaluate all graduate programs.
- Objective 3: Enhance wellness and sense of belonging among students.
Pillar 2: Relevant research
- Objective 1: Promote our scholarship in ways that make our work more accessible, relevant, and essential to students, faculty/staff, alumni, general public, and other fields.
- Objective 2: Identify and leverage areas of strategic strength.
Pillar 3: Flourishing culture and thriving team
- Objective 1: Cultivate vibrant relationships and a culture of well-being for faculty, staff, and students.
- Objective 2: Increase diversity in the department.
- Objective 3: Develop a culture that fosters leadership capacity among faculty, staff, and students.
Pillar 4: Community engagement and partnerships
- Objective 1: Strengthen departmental brand.
- Objective 2: Nurture strong reciprocal community and alumni relationships to give back and ensure departmental relevance.