Meet the Staff

Jennifer is a graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Leisure Studies, with a concentration in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Psychology. Jennifer began Rec2Connect in 2009 with 2 clients. She launched the Rec2Connect Foundation in 2014. Her previous experience includes: Classroom Behavior Therapist at Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism, Job coach at Goodwill Industries, Volunteer in Aquatic Therapy at Hattie Larlham in the Physical Therapy Department and Recreation Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic.

-Began with Rec2Connect in 2023

-Completing undergraduate degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion at Kent State University

- Previous Experience: Inclusion Assistant at Beachwood Summer Camps, Volunteer work at Gentlebrook Camps for individuals with developmental disabilities and Joni and Friends Family Camps

-Current Certifications: CPR/First Aid

-Began with Rec2Connect in 2026
-Graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science
-Graduate of the University of Toledo with a Masters in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis on Recreation Therapy

- Previous Experience: Recreation Therapy internship at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation & clinical rotations at Southwest General and Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities,
interned and volunteered at GiGi's Playhouse

-Current Certifications: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), BLS Provider, CPR/First Aid

- BA Graduate at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio
in 2009 in Physical Education with a focus in Adaptive Physical
Education. She completed her graduate certificate in Aquatic Therapy
from East Carolina University in 2011.

- Over 20 years of adaptive aquatics experience and has coached Special Olympics Swimming since 2004. She is a seasoned American Red Cross lifeguard, water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor as well as a former AAPHERD Adaptive Aquatic Instructor.

- Previous work experience includes
the Pediatric Director of Life Enrichment at Sabal Palms Children's
Center, a long-term care facility for medically fragile infants and
children in Largo, Florida and working as a Recreational Therapist at
Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey on the Infant-Toddler Team. She recently joined the staff at Rainbow Babies Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio working in the CAP Unit.

-Began with Rec2Connect in 2019

-Graduated from Walsh University with a Bachelors in Accounting 

-Previous Experience: Accounting, Finance and Payroll Manager for various clients

-Began with Rec2Connect in 2025

-Graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor in Liberal Arts

-Previous Experience: Paraprofessional, Educational Assistant and district Substitute for the past 15 years

-Current Certifications:  CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, CPR, AED and First Aid

-Began volunteering at Rec2Connect in 2023 and joined the team in 2025.

-Currently attending Arizona State University in pursuit of a Master’s in Positive Psychology. 

-Graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology and minors in American Sign Language as well as Disability Studies and Community Inclusion, Summa Cum Laude.

-Research Lab Manger in the Procedural Cognition and Learning Lab at Kent State University. 

-American Sign Language proficiency level 3.

-Previous Experience includes:

R2C volunteer in hiking club, kayaking, & Metro Parks programs, and Undergraduate Research Assistant in Kent State University’s Procedural Cognition and Learning Lab.