Faculty and Staff Profile

Leslie Heffington

Educational Background

PhD Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Clemson University 2025

MS Youth Development Leadership
Clemson University 2018

BS Psychology
Florida State University 2013

Courses Taught

PRTM2200 - Conceptual Foundations of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
PRTM2260 - Foundations of Management Administration in PRTM
YDP3050 - Theory and Philosophy of Youth Development Work
YDP3200 - Youth Development in Sports and Physical Activity
YDP3350 - Youth Activity Facilitation and Leadership

Research Interests

Research interests include youth/adolescent development, out-of-school settings, summer camps, youth transitions, leadership, and staff training.

Research Publications

Garst, B. A., Heffington, L. E., Bowers, E. P., Parry, B. J., Quinn, W. H., & Patino, M. (2025). Application of a Youth-Adult Partnership Model to Facilitate Skill Development Among Military-Connected Youth. Journal of Experiential Education, 10538259251328910.

Heffington, L.E. & Garst, B.A. (2025, February 18-21). A Delphi Study to Define Quality Counselor-In-Training Programs. In A. Gillard (Chair), ACA Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts [Symposium]. American Camp Association’s 2025 Camp Research Forum, United States.

Garst, B., Heffington, L., & Gagnon, R.J. (2024, February 5-9). Camp staff perceptions of employment skill development and training relevance. In A. Gillard (Chair), ACA Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts [Symposium]. American Camp Association’s 2024 Camp Research Forum, United States.

Parry, B. J., Patino, M., Garst, B. A., Bowers, E. P., Quinn, W. H., & Heffington, L. E. (2023). Supporting military-connected teens to thrive: a qualitative evaluation of a leadership program from the perspective of teens and adult advisors. Applied Developmental Science, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2023.2265813

Gagnon, R. J., Garst, B. A., & Heffington, L. E. (2023). Developmental Differences in Reported Overparenting, Autonomy, and Glucose Monitoring within a Medical Specialty Camp Context. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231173459

Gagnon, R. J., Garst, B. A., Heffington, L., Thurson, K. (2022, February 8-11). Developmental Differences in Reported Helicopter Parenting, Autonomy, and Glucose Monitoring in a Medical Specialty Camp. In A. Gillard (Chair), ACA Camp Research Forum Book of Abstracts [Symposium]. American Camp Association’s 2022 Camp Research Forum, United States.

Gagnon, R. J., Garst, B. A., Sharaievska, I., Heffington, L., White, D., & Tucker, T. (2021, November). The 2018-2021 Camp Kudzu Research Report: Gain Confidence, Make Connections, Increase Knowledge. Technical Report for Camp Kudzu. Atlanta, GA.

Honors and Awards

Fran McGuire Excellence in Teaching Award
Graduate Student Award of Excellence
The Backman's Graduate Student Service Award
Marsha A. Ward '79 Fellowship Endowment for Play
Writing Across the Curriculum Fellowship