​Dr. Samuel Roberson

With his track record of excellence in academia, community and corporate world, Dr. Roberson exposes students to practical leadership principles and experiential learning

Biography

Dr. Roberson prepares Claflin students for exciting careers in the recreation, parks, sports, and tourism business; as an employee or entrepreneur in a global economy.

As Assistant Professor Human Performance and Recreation, Dr. Samuel G. Roberson seeks to emphasize experiential learning and capstone projects in his courses. He is committed to the development of initiative and self-efficacy as common work competency characteristics of each graduate from our program. The principles of multiculturalism and inclusive recreation are evident throughout his curricula. He is now working on incorporating International experience into his curricula.

Prior to Claflin, Dr. Roberson served as Program Specialist, 4-H and Youth Development at Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Education

• Doctorate in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University School of Agriculture
• M.S. Youth Development from Texas A&M University School of Agriculture
• B. S. in Finance from Weber State University

Research Interests

• Positive Youth Outcome
• Obesity
• Social Support/Social Comparison
• Work-to-family spillover
• Community Recreation Assessment
• Applied Community Research

Dr. Roberson’s research has been presented at conferences hosted by National Recreation and Parks Association, American Camp Association, Texas Recreation and Parks Society, and George Wright Society.

Experience

Dr. Roberson came to academia with a distinguished record of accomplishment in the corporate and community sector, primarily with State Farm Insurance and the City of Fairfield, Ca. At State Farm he managed claims handling units in seven different counties over his career ranging from urban, to sub-urban to rural territories. He was a certified as training the trainer and led numerous initiatives which included sexual harassment and record retention trainings. He managed in special disaster operations associated with wind/hail, tornado, fire and earthquake damage. During his tenure with State Farm, he earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriting designation (CPCU). In the community, he served as Community Services Commissioner for the City of Fairfield for 8 years where the city experienced numerous in citywide improvements under his leadership. Now Dr. Roberson, he was affectionately known as “Coach” around the Fairfield Community for his active community coaching involvement with soccer, basketball, baseball, and football. He is a sought-after inspirational speaker and advisor/evaluator to youth development, recreation, and non-profit programs.

Dr. Roberson is an active speaker at conferences having presented on such topics as Youth Voice, Relationship Based Programming, Cultural Diversity, Situational Leadership, Logic Model Programming, and others. He teaches Introduction to Recreation, Leadership Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Organization and Administration Recreation, Community Recreation and Camping and Outdoor Recreation. He is currently developing a study abroad course and exploring an international research and scholarship relationship with Haiti.

Activities and Honors

• Certificate of Teaching Excellence, School of Education, Claflin University 2015
• White House Champion of Change Award, October, 2012
• The Honor Society of Agriculture – Gamma Sigma Delta 2007, 2011
• Rho Phi Lambda Honor Society, 2010
• Diversity PhD Fellowship, Office of Graduate Studies Texas A&M University 2008 –2011
• Graduate Student of the Year Award, National Recreation and Parks Association, 2007
• Minority Scholarship Award, National Recreation and Parks Association, 2007