Tania Santiago Perez is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy Program within the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Santiago Perez is passionate about educating future recreational therapists at the largest Latine serving institution in the United States. Apart from her CTRS credential, she has earned the following certifications: Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Adapted Aquatics Instructor (AAI), and Open Water Scuba Diver (PADI and NAUI). Her research focuses on the influence of adapted sports on health and quality of life outcomes, with a primary interest in aquatic sports and aquatic recreational activities.
Her current projects involve studying the influence of adapted scuba diving, adapted swimming, and adapted sailing on quality of life and health. She has a keen interest in exploring the development of social identity and the influence of personality in adapted sports. Dr. Santiago Perez is passionate about expanding access to the social, physical, psycho-emotional, and spiritual benefits of leisure and recreation to all people. Her professional experience as a Recreational Therapist includes working in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Dr. Santiago Perez has received several FIU awards including the 2023 Rewarding Excellence in Teaching Incentive (RETI), the 2017 CASE Engagement Award, the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023 CASE Service Awards, and the 2019 Top Scholar Award for Teaching and Mentorship.
Research Areas
• Adapted Sports
• Adapted Aquatic Recreational Activities (focus on Scuba Diving & Swimming)
• Disability and Health
• Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
• Social Identity and Social Determinants of Health
• Recreational Therapy Education
Selected Publications
• Santiago Perez, T., Crowe, B.M., Rosopa, P.J., Townsend, J., & Kaufman, M.R. (2023).
Diving into health: A mixed methods study on the impact of scuba diving in people with
physical impairments. Healthcare, 11(7) 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11070984
• Santiago Perez, T., & Crowe, B.M. (2021). Community participation for transition-aged
youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A systematic review. Therapeutic
Recreation Journal, 55(1), 19-41. https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2021-V55-I1-10296
• Santiago Perez, T., Pola, A. D., Crowe, B. D., Van Puymbroeck, M., Schmid, A. (2020).
The emerging healthcare professional: Certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT).
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 39(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101147
Courses Taught
• LEI3001 Leisure and Recreation in America
• LEI3703 Introduction to Recreational Therapy
• LEI3707 Inclusive Recreation Services
• LEI3723L Facilitation Techniques and Modalities Lab, Adapted Sports
• LEI3723L Facilitation Techniques and Modalities Lab, Adapted Swimming
• LEI3723L Facilitation Techniques and Modalities Lab, Handcycling
• LEI3723L Facilitation Techniques and Modalities Lab, Autism Sports
• LEI4720 Trends, Issues, and Managerial Aspects of Recreational Therapy
• LEI4724 Recreational Therapy Modalities and Techniques
• LEI4940 Internship I
• LEI4941 Internship II
Education
- PhD (2022) Clemson University, Parks Recreation and Tourism Management, Recreational Therapy Cognate Area
- MS (2013) Florida International University, Recreation and Sport Management: Recreational Therapy
- BS (2010) Florida International University, Exercise and Sport Sciences: Exercise Physiology