Biography and expertise
Shelby started her career in recreational therapy completing her undergraduate degree at Texas State University. She has been a recreational therapist for 10 years working in a variety of settings such as acute psych, municipal recreation, and military. She is passionate about using recreational therapy to support and empower her clients. Shelby earned her Master's in Public Administration for Northeastern University in Boston, MA and her PhD in Health, Leisure and Human Performance from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK.
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Health, Leisure, and Human Performance
Oklahoma State University, 2022
Master's Degree
MPA in Public Administration
Northeastern University, 2019
Bachelor's Degree
BS in Recreational Administration
Texas State University, 2013
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Thomas, K. A., Mueller, K. E., Sharpe, S. M., Whaley, D., Heffner, C. J., & Farrell, J. W. (2025). Proposing practice recommendations for adaptive sports for the disciplines of recreational therapy, exercise physiology, and athletic training. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 24(1), 7–18. Retrieved from https://wmpllc.org/ojs/index.php/ajrt/article/view/3881
- Thomas, K. A., Kaitlin, M. E., Farrell, J. W., Sharpe, S. M., & Heffner, C. J. (2025). Recreational Therapy, Exercise Physiology, and Athletic Training: Interprofessional Collaborative Practices for Adaptive Sports. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 59(2), 163–183. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I2-12599
- Kim, M. B., Thomas, K. A., Sharpe, S. M., & Farrell, J. W. (2025). Understanding Reasons for Participation and Barriers Within Adaptive Sports for Individuals with Physical Disabilities. Recreational Sports Journal, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/15588661241292027
- Sharpe, S. M., Passmore, T., Thomas, K. A., Lindenmeier, D., & Winston, J. (2023). Operation growth: The impact of heroes on the water kayak fishing on post-traumatic growth in U.S. Military Veterans. Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, 57(4), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2023-V57-I4-11974
- Passmore, T., Beasley, M., Brickell, B., Lindenmeier, D., & Jackson, S. M. (2022). Community Based Recreational Therapy Treatment Case Report: Parkinson’s Disease.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Certification of Appreciation, Warrior Transition Unit-Ft. Sam Houston/BAMC. 2019 - Present
- Award / Honor Recipient: Certification of Appreciation, Warrior Transition Unit-Ft. Stewart. 2018 - Present
- Award / Honor Recipient: Alpha Chi Favorite Professors for 2025, TXST Alpha Chi. October 28, 2025 - November 7, 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award in Service, College of Education. January 31, 2025 - February 20, 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: Peg Connolly Scholarship, ATRA. 2021
Featured service activities
- Member
HHP Student Champions
- Member
AI Ambassador
- Chair
TRAPS RT Branch ATRA Chapter
- Member
ATRA Student Clubs Committee
- Organizer
TXST Unified Champions
- Member
TPWD Accessibility Advisory Committee