Sandra Negley, MS

Sandra is an Associate Professor (Lecturer), Program Director of Recreational Therapy, and Clinical Education Coordinator at the University of Utah, in the Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies, in Salt Lake City. She served for 23 years as the Manager of Expressive Therapies for the Universities’ Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), was also the Director of Adolescent Services and Founder and Director of the organization’s Self-Esteem Institute.

Sandra has worked in the mental health community for forty years and has served on numerous local, state and national committees representing individuals with disabilities and the profession of Recreational Therapy. Sandra has served as the President of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and has been recognized for her professional contributions by receiving ATRA’s “Distinguished Fellow Award,” and “Outstanding Professional Award.” She has served as the President of the Utah Recreational Therapy Association and also recipient of their “Distinguished Service Award.” Sandra has been recognized by the University of Utah, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism with the “Outstanding Alumni Award” and the Distinguished Teaching Award for the College of Health.

Sandra has taught at the university for over 30 years in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. She coordinated the Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis, taught in the experiential education emphasis and the general recreation core. She has served on 36 master student committees and was a clinical advisor on numerous Ph.D. dissertations. Sandra has authored clinical practice books, text book chapters, numerous journal articles, and contemporary publications.

However, her favorite things in life are vacations, time with family, a good book, and a good friend.

Selected Publications