Cindy Hartman

I am an Associate Professor in Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. My program of research focuses on the reciprocal relationship among leisure and identity from late adolescence into adulthood. Specifically, my program of research includes two major areas of focus: (1) examining the relationship between leisure, identity development, and health in recreation programs and contexts, and (2) understanding leisure’s relation to educational, occupational, and personal identity.
My research is theoretically grounded in the seminal work of Erikson, who described adolescence as a critical period for identity development. I make unique contributions to leisure scholarship by using neo-Eriksonian psychosocial identity-based models and theories. Utilizing these theories provides information on how and why identity relates to patterns of leisure attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes, and further substantiates leisure/recreation as an important developmental context supporting identity and health outcomes across the lifespan. I use this theoretical foundation to communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary research partners focused on adolescent and human development, including those working in campus/community recreation and activities, health prevention and counseling, education, and workforce development.
My areas of teaching include 1) the role of leisure recreation in human development, 2) leadership skills and career identities of future recreation leaders, and 3) research-oriented classes, and 4) conceptual foundations of leisure. Aligning with the indicators of student engagement (National Survey on Student Engagement, 2020), I design my courses with academic challenge, learning with peers, positive interaction with faculty, and a supportive learning environment so that future professionals can solve complex problems, work effectively with others, interact in professional environments, and build community both within and beyond the classroom.
Research Interests
- Career Education & Planning
- Health Promotion
- Human Development
- Identity
- Recreational & Leisure Activities
- Wellness
Courses Taught
- RMP 661: Leadership in Recreation
- RMP 668: Youth Culture and Programs
- RMP 700H: Senior Honors Project
- RMP 724: Grantsmanship, Eval & Research
- RMP 764: Internship
- RMP 796: Independent Study
- RMP 800: Concepts Recreation & Leisure
- RMP 970: Teaching Practicum
- RMP 980: Independent Study
Selected Publications
Hartman, C. L., Anderson, D. M., & Barcelona, R. J. (2022). College-attending emerging adults' free time perception profiles: Relationships with well-being and identity development. JOURNAL OF LEISURE RESEARCH, 53(4), 512-531. doi:10.1080/00222216.2021.1999780
Hartman, C. L., & Bonica, M. J. (2019). A transdisciplinary, longitudinal investigation of early careerists? leisure during the school-to-work transition. JOURNAL OF LEISURE RESEARCH, 50(5), 438-460. doi:10.1080/00222216.2019.1594467
Gillard, A., Hartman, C. L., & Craig, P. J. (2019). Fostering Adolescent Identity Exploration across the Three Phases of a Camp Program. JOURNAL OF PARK AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION, 37(3), 34-52. doi:10.18666/JPRA-2019-8905
Hartman, C. L., Evans, K. E., & Anderson, D. M. (2017). Promoting Adaptive Coping Skills and Subjective Well-Being through Credit-Based Leisure Education Courses. JOURNAL OF STUDENT AFFAIRS RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, 54(3), 303-315. doi:10.1080/19496591.2017.1331852