Emily Messina

Emily Messina is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy at FIU. Dr. Messina received her BS and MS in Recreation Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Florida. She has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 2004. She completed her doctoral degree in Public Health (emphasis in social behavioral health science) at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Messina is currently serving as Co-Editor of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual in Therapeutic Recreation (published annually as the fourth edition of the Therapeutic Recreation Journal) and as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. In 2025, Dr. Messina was named a Fellow Distinguished in Recreational Therapy (FDRT) by the National Academy of Recreational Therapists. Dr. Messina’s research focuses on the benefits of recreation and leisure for those within the criminal justice system, use of leisure as coping for those experiencing infertility, and non-traditional leisure pursuits as 'serious leisure'.