Directories

Dr. Daniel D. McLean is a recognized scholar and leader in the parks and recreation movement. He has degrees from California State University, Sacrament (BA), Brigham Young University (MA), and Kansas State University (PhD). He has published 10 books and over 100 journal and trade articles focusing on recreation management and management processes, public fiscal operations, strategic planning, urban forestry, state park operations, grant writing, student learning skills and styles. He is the lead author of the best selling introductory textbook titled Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society, and co-author of the best selling textbook titled Financial Resource Management: Sport, Tourism, and Leisure Services.

Dr. McLean has served on the faculties at Kansas State University, Iowa State University, Indiana University, and as a department chairperson at Indiana State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition he worked in the public sector as a recreation programmer in Ventura, CA and as director of recreation in Cedar Rapids, IA. He has taught internationally in Cyprus, Morocco, Venezuela, Hong Kong, and Korea. Indiana University recognized him with an Outstanding Teaching Award. Professionally, he has served as president of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, the American Association for Leisure and Recreation, and the Iowa Park and Recreation Association.

He was director of the Indiana University Executive Development Program for Park and Recreation Professionals for 11 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. For 10 years he served as the research director for the National Association of State Park Directors and was director of the Center for State Park Research, working directly with state park directors to further their research efforts and that of their national association. He has been an invited member of the World Commission on Protected Areas since 1997.

He has received many awards including the Outstanding Professional Award from the Department of Recreation Management at Brigham Young University, the President’s Award from the American Association for Leisure and Recreation, Society of Park and Recreation Educators, and the American Park & Recreation Association. He has been a certified park and recreation professional since 1972 and served as state director of the professional certification boards in Iowa and Indiana for over 15 years.

He has chaired numerous doctoral and master dissertation and thesis committees and served as the graduate coordinator at Indiana State University. At this point in his career he finds great strength in working with undergraduate and graduate students teaching full-time focusing on their individual and professional development. Finally, and most important, he is a husband, a father of 7 children, and a growing number of grandchildren.