Dr. Anderson completed his degrees in recreation and park administration, with a specialization in therapeutic recreation, at Indiana State University and the University of Maryland. He has taught for 44 years at Caldwell Community College, University of Maryland, Indiana University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Florida, Barry University, and Florida International University. He also held visiting faculty appointments at the University of Wisconsin, Southern Connecticut State University, and the University of Waterloo, in Ontario. He has served as a department chair, associate dean, interim dean, assistant to the provost, director of academic integrity, and director of academic advisor development. He is currently a member of the faculty at Florida International University. During his tenure as a professor, he taught at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate levels face-to-face, online, and on television. He has chaired 10 doctorate and 5 masters students, and served on 7 doctorate and 11 masters committees.
Dr. Anderson’s research interest is community development. More specifically, he is interested in building social capital to enhance health and well-being. He has garnered over 60 publications and over 150 presentations.
His service most notably includes member of the Executive Committee of the WLO; president of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society; member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Leisure and Recreation; member of WLJ, AJESS, TRJ, LT/JOPERD, and APAQ, editorial boards; program manager of the WLO Thomas and Ruth Rivers International Scholarship Committee; and member of the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation.