Mackenzie Dawes, a Clemson University graduate with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, currently serves as the Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventures at Furman University Campus Recreation.
What inspired you to pursue an MS degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson?
I’d worked in the summer camp field for five years when I began my master’s at Clemson. Throughout that time, I was always interested in why summer camps feel like a special place for staff to belong. I was able to combine my interest in belongingness with my lived experience as a type 1 diabetic to explore the sense of belonging that emerging adults with T1D experience when working at a summer camp focused solely on T1D.
How did leading backpacking and kayaking trips at Clemson prepare you for your role at Furman?
Leading the backpacking, kayaking, SUP, and team building courses helped me in my current role because I’m now providing guidance to students at Furman to ensure all of their trips run smoothly. It also provided me with communication skills and leadership skills that help me when providing guidance to my staff and co workers.
What are your main responsibilities as Assistant Director of Aquatics and Outdoor Adventures at Furman?
My main responsibilities as the Assistant Director include advising the Furman University Outdoors Club and planning for the climbing wall opening at the end of summer 2026. When the climbing wall opens, I will be responsible for staffing, training, setting, and maintaining the wall. Prior to the pools closing on December 10, I was responsible for staff scheduling, conducting in-service trainings, and ensuring the pools remained operational.
How do you help students step outside their comfort zones?
I encourage them to participate in campus-wide events and initiatives. One of my priorities when entering this role was to build a more cohesive lifeguard team. We achieved this by conducting more one-on-one meetings with each guard, facilitating in-service events, and creating a streamlined communication system. In outdoor programming, I encourage the team to explore new areas when planning trips, allowing them to experience more of the natural surroundings. We have also established clearer “guardrails” for the outdoor club, helping members feel more comfortable reporting incidents, managing groups, and leading confidently with CRW support.
What advice would you give PRTM students interested in a career in outdoor adventure or campus recreation?
For any current student interested in working in outdoor recreation or campus recreation in higher education, I encourage them to keep trying new things to expand their worldviews. Whether guiding or working in a role like mine, it’s important to connect with others and gain hands-on experience, which helps you communicate more effectively with participants. Know your “why.” My why has always been to create a sense of belonging and to ensure that anyone, regardless of their background or experiences, feels comfortable participating in a program or trying a new activity. Personal and meaningful connections are the key to building a lasting community that provides enriching experiences for both staff and participants.
Go Tigers!
