Prof. Joanne Schroeder is a faculty member in the Department of Recreation and Tourism, Vancouver Island University, Canada since 2000. Numerous roles have included administration, teaching, research and supervision, community engagement and development of experiential learning such as field schools and study tours. She is currently the Graduate Chair of the Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management and the Director of the World Leisure Centre of Excellence at Vancouver Island University. Passionate about community involvement and industry connections, her previous experiences include private consulting, training and professional development and predominantly working in municipal recreation departments for over 20 years across Western Canada. Joanne has a MA in Leisure Services Management from University of Victoria, Canada. As a recent recipient of the Provost Award for Excellence in Teaching she continues to challenge her teaching skills, student engagement and professional development. Involved with the WLO as a member, she is currently the Chair of the WLO board and executive board member, is it a pleasure and privilege to work with this organization and represent you in the amazing field of improving the human condition through leisure.

Joanne lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada which is the world’s 43rd largest Island. She is actively involved in community engaged research believing leisure services can offer solutions to complex social issues. She founds her research on bridging gaps between theory and application, research and practice, and experience and knowledge. Through research she gets to listen, write, explore, and share the narratives that shape people’s lives.

WL Committees involvement

• Educational Services
• Membership
• Strategic Priorities Grant
• Youth Ambassadors