A native of Massachusetts, Pat’s studies and career have had a national and international reach. She received a B.S. and M.S. from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources Management and Social Sciences division. She moved to Vermont in 1998 to join the Rubenstein School after holding faculty positions at University of Colorado-Boulder and Texas A&M University.  

Pat’s exemplary research program earned her the honor (2009) of elected Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences. Her research focuses on social and cultural dimensions of outdoor recreation, environmental interpretation, and tourism development. Her key areas of study include place-making processes associated with recreation experiences and resource management, cultural meanings and values of landscapes, narrative and discourse patterns within tourism settings, environmental social media, and planning and development processes in rural communities. 

An accomplished author, Pat has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, 20 technical reports, and two books. Her longitudinal study of the impacts of gambling-based tourism development in former gold mining towns in Colorado culminated in the award-winning book Riches and Regrets: Betting on Gambling in Two Colorado Mountain Towns, published in 1996. 

In 2014 Pat was promoted to Full Professor in the Rubenstein School. In the same year she took a sabbatical in Vienna, Austria, where she worked at the Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). 

A leader in her field and the UVM community, Pat served in multiple administrative positions over the course of her nearly three decades at the university. She was the long-time Director for the Parks, Recreation and Tourism program and served as the Graduate Program Coordinator in Rubenstein. She also served for two and a half years as the Associate Dean of UVM’s Graduate College and as its Interim Dean for half a year.  

“Pat’s levelheaded perspective and wry sense of humor were always central to the success and morale of the various committees I was fortunate to serve on with her over the past 10 years,” said Tony D’Amato, Professor and Director of the Forestry program. “She has been an inspiration to work with, particularly as it relates to the care she always displayed for our students. The deep and genuine interest Pat took in a student’s success was abundantly clear. I feel fortunate that many of our Forestry students and others across UVM were able to benefit from her mentorship.”  

Pat taught a wide range of courses at the graduate and undergraduate level, including Tourism Planning, Outdoor Recreation Planning, Environmental Interpretation, and Parks and Protected Areas. She advised or co-advised 5 Ph.D. students and 24 M.S. students.  

“Pat allowed me to reach my fullest potential in the PRT program,” wrote recent Rubenstein School graduate Chloe Martelon ’25. “I remember taking Parks and Protected Areas before transferring into the program, it was Pat’s enthusiasm and zest for life that initially drew me in.” 

Upon announcing her retirement, Pat received dozens of notes of appreciation from current and past students. They expressed gratitude for her generosity of spirit, wealth of knowledge, captivating lectures, passion for her field, leadership, friendship, and patience. 

Dr. Yumiko (Yumi) Jakobcic, a former Ph.D. student, reflected on Pat’s inspiring career in a handwritten letter. “You were beyond what I could have dreamed of for a Ph.D. advisor. Thank you for teaching me so much – certainly about recreation and tourism – but also about how to find balance in my work, how to approach research and analyze data, how to submit journal articles, and so much more,” she wrote.  

As a professional ice dancer and coach, balance is one of Pat’s strengths. During her career she has been a steadfast advocate for student athletes and has long been an invited guest at UVM Athletics Department’s Faculty Appreciation Night. She has also supported the management and delivery of UVM’s Minor in Sports Management since its inception in 2015.

“Pat’s career as a researcher, graduate mentor, teacher, colleague, and coach is marked by her unwavering love and care for those around her,” said Peter Newman, Dean of the Rubenstein School. “Her deep knowledge of her work is evident throughout her career and to anyone who worked with her. Pat has a remarkable ability to motivate and inspire others to reach their full potential, making her truly exceptional and highly effective in all she accomplished.” 

Pat received the distinction of Professor Emerita from UVM in May 2025. After retirement she plans to continue her writing and research work and will complete her third book this summer.