US Play Coalition names new executive director

CLEMSON, SC –  Stephanie Garst has been named the new executive director of US Play Coalition at Clemson University.

The US Play Coalition is a nationwide partnership to promote the value of play throughout life. Formed in 2009, the coalition holds conferences, houses resources and advances research in the area of play.

Garst has spent the last 18 years working in nonprofits and higher education. Prior to joining the coalition, she was director of community programs and special events at Roanoke College, where she oversaw many of the college’s flagship programs. She also spent several years developing educational programs and marketing initiatives for the Science Museum of Western Virginia.

A native of Mississippi, Garst earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science degree in counseling and human development from Radford University.

During her tenure at Roanoke College, Garst earned numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award. She also received the 2011 Outstanding Individual Achievement Award from the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

“We are excited and very fortunate to have Stephanie Garst lead the US Play Coalition,” said Brett Wright, coalition co-chair and interim dean of Clemson’s College of Health, Education and Human Development, which houses the coalition. “She comes to us with a rich background in working with universities and nonprofit organizations and has the perfect skill set to move the coalition forward to new levels.”

“I am so pleased to welcome Stephanie to the US Play Coalition,” said Fran Mainella, co-chair of the coalition, a visiting scholar at Clemson and former director of the U.S. National Park Service. “Not only does she value and appreciate play, but she also has great experience in organizing conferences and events similar to our annual Conference on the Value of Play. Her enthusiasm and smile are a welcome addition to our team.”

For Garst, accepting the US Play Coalition position has both professional and personal implications.

“As a mother of two very energetic girls, I can tell you that play is often survival in my world,” she said. “In seeing their daily need for physical activity and unstructured time, I became acutely aware of how essential play is for them. Furthermore, it forced me to take a look at my own need to unplug and go play for my own well-being. I am honored to be part of an organization that strives to make play an integral part of people’s lives.”