2008 James R. Esbenshade II Research Assistantship in Rural Sustainability

Jerel Cowan is a Doctoral candidate in the Environmental Science program.   He holds a Master of Science degree in Leisure Studies with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation from OSU and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).  Jerel is an instructor at UCO and serves as the Coordinator for the Outdoor and Community Recreation program in the Kinesiology and Health Studies department.

Jerel currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Edmond Land Conservancy Board; the Vice President of Recreation for the Oklahoma Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD); Current Chair of the Oklahoma Trails Advisory Board; and Leave No Trace Master (Center for Outdoor Ethics) State Advocate for Oklahoma. Jerel is a Leave No Trace Master Educator Instructor through the Wilderness Education Association (WEA); a Wilderness First Aid Instructor; and a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association.  His research involves assisting student in GPS mapping of Oklahoma trails through the OKTrails4All grant project.