04/10/2026
Dear Colleagues and Prospective Graduate Students,
The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming is seeking competitive applicants for multiple funded M.S. graduate assistantships beginning Fall 2027 relating to tourism, recreation, and human dimensions of natural resources.
The ENRS Graduate Program and Assistantships
Students will enroll in the Environment, Natural Resources, and Society (ENRS) M.S. program in the Haub School. ENRS is an interdisciplinary program that deepens students' understanding of complex social-ecological problems while building their experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders to solve them. The program is intended to serve as a catalyst for careers in public land and resource management, research, consulting, nonprofit work, or further doctoral study. Students will complete coursework across the social and natural sciences and a thesis grounded in applied research with their advisor. Program and application information is available online.
FUNDED ASSISTANTSHIPS
Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Economy — Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute
The Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute conducts applied research and outreach supporting Wyoming's outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality economy, working directly with state agencies, destination organizations, land managers, communities, and industry partners. The Institute is recruiting a fully funded MS graduate research assistant to support projects that may include visitor and resident surveys, economic contribution analysis, community and workforce studies, recreation and tourism planning support, and translating findings into reports, presentations, and outreach materials for practitioners. We are looking for students curious about the intersection of recreation, tourism, and rural community wellbeing who want research experience that reaches beyond the university.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Dan McCoy at [email protected].
Visitor Use Management — TRACE Lab
The Tourism and Recreation Analytics for Communities and Ecosystems (TRACE) Lab is recruiting a fully funded M.S. student to support applied research on visitor use management and visitor demand in parks, protected areas, and gateway communities. The TRACE Lab collaborates with federal land management agencies and community partners to understand the drivers and impacts of visitation and to address pressing issues related to hazards, adaptation, and emerging technologies. Potential projects may include spatial analysis of mobility data, conducting surveys and observations in the field, and research on visitor safety and preparedness. The position is well suited for students interested in recreation and tourism management, geography/GIS, data science, and/or applied social science.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Colby Parkinson at [email protected].
Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Hunting — Wildlife & Wilderness Recreation Lab
The Wildlife & Wilderness Recreation Lab is recruiting a fully funded M.S. student to conduct applied research in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) on the human dimensions of wildlife management, hunting, and conservation. The assistantship focuses on two areas. First, the student will examine the "user pays–public benefits" system underpinning much of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, working with WGFD to investigate public and stakeholder perspectives on conservation funding, including mechanisms for maintaining or expanding support. Second, the student will analyze existing and newly collected data on hunter experiences and satisfaction associated with Wyoming big-game hunting, including factors influencing satisfaction, perceptions of hunting quality and opportunity, and how hunter experiences can inform management decisions. The position is well suited for students interested in wildlife human dimensions, outdoor recreation, conservation policy, or applied social science.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Kelly Dunning at [email protected].
Assistantship Details: Assistantships are 0.5 FTE (20 hours/week) appointments and include a competitive stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance. Positions are generally funded for two years, contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree. Travel support for fieldwork and conferences is typically available. All graduate assistants will be expected to develop their research into two publishable thesis papers or a report of equivalent quality for a funding agency or partner.
Application Information: Assistantships will be awarded on a rolling basis; however, prospective students should email the faculty member listed for each position of interest with a CV and a brief paragraph describing their interests before November 2 for full consideration. Students must be admitted to and enroll in the ENRS M.S. program for the Fall 2027 semester, completing their application to the program by March 1. Competitive applicants will hold a bachelor's degree in a related field (recreation, tourism, hospitality, geography, natural resources, planning, sociology, business, or similar), write clearly, and bring (or be eager to build) skills in survey design, qualitative or quantitative analysis, and working with external partners. Prior industry experience is valued but not required.
Please contact the program’s graduate coordinator, Nicole Gautier, at [email protected] with any questions.
Life in Laramie: Laramie is a friendly college town on Wyoming's high plains, with world-renowned hiking, climbing, and broader tourism and recreation opportunities within easy reach of campus. Wyoming is home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and millions of acres of public land, making it an ideal place to study, and experience, outdoor recreation and tourism firsthand.
Colby Parkinson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management
Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming
[email protected] | 208-995-9970 | The TRACE Lab | Google Scholar
