Faculty
Holly Eichner, Ph.D., CTRS-BH
Senior Lecturer
Recreation Therapy Program Director
Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Office: HH 1022
Mail Stop 119
Phone: 419.530.4500
Fax: 419.530.4759
holly.eichner@utoledo.edu
Dr. Eichner is a proud first-generation college student, who earned three degrees at the University of Toledo. She is currently the Program Director and a Lecturer in the Recreational Therapy program. She has earned her specialty certification in behavioral health making her a CTRS-BH. Dr. Eichner's professional experience has included work with consumers throughout the life span receiving services in mental health, substance abuse, vocational rehabilitative, physical rehabilitation, Veteran services, and palliative/hospice care. Dr. Eichner has presented at several professional conferences in the areas of Recreation Therapy and Psychiatric Rehabilitation. She is also a proud volunteer of the Toledo Metroparks where she teaches tai chi courses.
Ruthie Kucharewski, CTRS
Professor Emeritus, Part-time faculty
Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Kucharewski has an extensive background in Recreation and Recreation Therapy. She has received numerous awards for Outstanding Woman, Outstanding Teacher, Recreation Educator of the Year and in January 2016 she was presented with the DiAnne Masztak Award for supporting online learning in a distinguished fashion and for her commitment to online teaching. In late Spring 2016, Dr. Kucharewski became one of only three individuals at the University of Toledo to earn the online Master Teacher certification. , She received the 2021 Ohio Therapeutic Recreation Association "Member of the Year" award. In 2022, Dr. K. received the highest award in the profession from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, she was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow in Recreational Therapy (FDRT). Dr. K. retired in July 2022, and she received the honor and title of Professor Emeritus. She continues to support the UT RT program as a part-time faculty member.
Eric Longsdorf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Graduate Program Director for Recreation and Leisure Studies
Chair, Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Office: HH 2503B
Mail Stop 119
Phone: 419.530.2742
Fax: 419.530.2477
eric.longsdorf@utoledo.edu
Eric has been a full time faculty member in Recreation since 2000. His current research interests include Green Initiatives in Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Recreation, Research Ethics, as well as Accreditation and Curriculum.
Wendy Maran, M.A., CTRS, CDP
Senior Lecturer
Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Office: HH 1024
Mail Stop 119
Phone: 419.530.4955
Fax: 419.530.4759
wendy.maran@utoledo.edu
Wendy’s area of interests in the Field of Recreation Therapy is recreation therapy techniques for neurologically impaired individuals, inclusion and adaptation and programming. She is a certified Dementia Care Practitioner and in Chair One Fitness which she teaches weekly at a local senior center. She has been a practicing Recreation Therapist for more than 35 years, in a variety of settings.
Jennifer Reau, CTRS
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Jennifer has been a practicing Recreation Therapist for 30 years in both the clinical and community settings. She has primarily worked with older adults and has spent several years working with individuals with memory loss.