Mary F Fortune, EdD Faculty Profile

Mary  F  Fortune, EdD

Professor

Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism

Yep, I'm a Leisurologist!*

Dr. Mary F. Fortune is a high energy Associate Professor with the Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism Department at Cal State East Bay! Prior to this role at CSUEB, she served as the Director of Student Life & Leadership (2005 - 2008) and was a Business Communication Assistant Professor and Lecturer for the College of Business at San Jose State University (2000 - 2005).

Her recreation, leisure and leadership experience includes working for the Morale, Welfare & Recreation Department/US Navy, La Jolla and Cambria Pines YMCA, Santa Clara Campfire Association, and the San Jose and Los Gatos/Saratoga Parks & Recreation Departments. Yes it's true; at one time she drove a 45-passenger bus taking kids to field trips and excursions in and around San Diego, California!

Traveling local and abroad, she has made numerous presentations related to her research interests: leisure management, event planning, leadership development, mentoring, communication and technology. She is published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education/SAGE Publication, MERLOT/Journal of Online Learning & Teaching (JOLT), Parks and Recreation Magazine, Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching & Learning, the Journal of Education for Business, and the Association for Business Communication. 

Her specialty areas include event planning, student leadership development, business communication and technology and has received grants and made numerous presentations related to these topics. She loves to laugh, spend time with family/friends and is passionate about riding her bike.

*What is Leisure? The power of pure leisure is doing something simply because we like it. It's pure enjoyment, fun, and is pleasurable and what drives us. It's taking the time, making free time from work or duties to relax and re-create and refresh our mind, body and spirit. How? By doing enjoyable activities, being present in the moment and having fun!

  • AA General Education/Recreation, West Valley Community College
  • BA Recreation Administration; San Diego State University
  • MA Higher Education; San Jose State University
  • MA Counselor Education; San Jose State University
  • EdD Organization & Leadership; University of San Francisco
Fall Semester 2024
Course #SecCourse TitleDaysFromToLocationCampus
REC 30001Wellness Through LeisureARRWEB-ASYNCH
REC 30002Wellness Through LeisureARRWEB-ASYNCH
REC 31001Women and LeisureARRWEB-ASYNCH
REC 31002Women and LeisureARRWEB-ASYNCH

Fortune, M.F., Chamberlain, C., Spielman, M., & Tjoei, S. (2013). Recreational Choices: The value of education as part of leisure programming. The Hawaii International Conference on Education Conference Proceedings, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 6-9, 2013.

Fortune, M.F., Chamberlain, C., Spielman, M., & Tjoei, S. (2012). Conscious choices: The value of education as a leisure component. Parks and Recreation Magazine, Fall 2012.

Fortune, M.F., Roark, M.F., D’Alleva, M., & Smusz, L. (2012). Leadership by Design Summer Day Camp: University and High School Student Outcomes. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 3(1), 62-73, winter 2012.

Fortune, M.F. (2011). Making the jump to hybrid space: Employing face-to-face and online modalities in a special event planning course. Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 26(2), winter 2011, 39-45.

Fortune, M.F., Raphael, K. (2011). Crossing boundaries between business and academia: Developing strategies for personal discovery that affects the mentoring relationship. Learning Across Disciplines, University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute Conference Proceedings, October 26-28, 2011, Albuquerque, NM. Retrieved from .

Fortune, M.F. (2011). Course connections: Naughty mardi gras comes to California State University East Bay. In Voices and Visions 2009-2011: Possibility, Purpose, Action. California State University East Bay Service Learning Program, 17. Retrieved from learning/.

Fortune, M.F., Spielman, M., & Pangelinan, D. (2011). Students’ perceptions of online or face-to-face learning and social media in hospitality, recreation and tourism. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 7(1), March 2011, 1-16.

Shifflett, B., Fortune, M.F., & Denton, K. (2006). Effects of a job shadowing assignment on writing. Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching & Learning, Spring 2006, .

Fortune, M.F., Shifflett, B, & Sibley, R. A. (2006). A comparison of online (high tech) and traditional (high touch) learning in business communication courses in Silicon Valley. Journal of Education for Business, 81(4), Spring 2006, 210-214.

Fortune, M.F., Sibley, R., & Combs, H. (2004). Distance education and online instruction: Some observations from the classroom. The Eighth Annual Conference on Emerging Issues In Business and Technology, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The College of Business and Technology at Western Illinois University Conference Proceedings, October 28-30, 2004.

Fortune, M.F. & Staecyk, J. (2004). Merging business communication with technology: Developing successful multimedia modes for distance delivery. The 69th Annual Convention, Cambridge, Massachusetts, (Jeanette Martin, Ed.). The Association for Business Communication Conference Proceedings, October 27-30, 2004, 15-26. 

Fortune, M.F. (2013). Promise Neighborhood Festival: Building Community One Student At A Time. California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference: Empower, Engage, Explore, March 8, 2013, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California.

Fortune, M.F., Chamberlain, C., Spielman, M., & Tjoei, S. (2013). Recreational Choices: The value of education as part of leisure programming. The Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 6-9, 2013.

Fortune, M.F., Chamberlain, C., & Spielman, M. (2012). “Recreational Choices: How Education Affects Leisure Programming.” California Society of Park and Recreation Educators Annual Conference“ The Teacher-Scholar Model: Student Engagement, Scholarship, Vibrant Learning Opportunities,” November 16-18, 2012, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California.

Fortune, M.F., Chamberlain, C., & Spielman (2012). Recreation choice: Where are our leisure dollars being pumped? Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Poster Exhibit, May 22, 2012, California State University East Bay.

Chamberlain, C., Fortune, M.F., & Spielman (2012). Recreational choice and gas prices: Where are our leisure dollars being pumped? California Parks and Recreation Society, Leisure Research Symposium, March 22, 2012, Long Beach, California.

Fortune, M.F., Spielman, M., & Tjoei, S. (2011). The job shadow: Careers in hospitality, recreation and tourism. In Exploring New Avenues for Research in the Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Related Fields, CalSPRE Conference, November 19, 2011, Asilomar, California.

Fortune, M.F., & Raphael, K. (2011). Crossing Boundaries between Business and Academia: Developing Strategies for Personal Discovery that Affects the Mentoring Relationship. In Learning Across Disciplines, University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute, October 26-28, 2011, Albuquerque, NM.

Fortune, M.F. & Spielman, M. (2011). The learning starts here: Online vs. face-to-face in hospitality, recreation and tourism. Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Poster Exhibit, California State University East Bay, California, May 25, 2011.

Fortune, M.F. (2011). Sustaining mentorship for ACE/OWHE Nor Cal network. ACE/OWHE Northern California Network Mini Leadership Conference Collaborative Leadership: Journey To Empowerment, May 6, 2011, City College of San Francisco, California.

Fortune, M.F. & Spielman, M. (2011). What’s your platform: online versus face-to-face learning in hospitality, recreation & tourism. California Parks & Recreation Leisure Research Symposium, Sacramento, California, March 11, 2011, Sacramento Convention Center, California.

Fortune, M.F. & D’Alleva, M. (2011). Leadership By Design: For Students ~ By Students. Research Symposium, American Camp Association National Conference, February 8-11, 2011, San Diego, California, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, California.

Fortune, M.F. (2010). Opportunities for Excellence: Making Magic During Difficult Times. California Society of Park and Recreation Educators Annual Conference Working Smart During Challenging Times for Higher Education, November 12-14, 2010, Asilomar, Pacific Grove, California.

Fortune, M.F. & Smusz, L. (2009). Leadership by Design: The Original Summer Institute Developed and Designed by Students for Students. The Age of Assessment: Effective Assessment and Documentation of Learning Outcomes throughout the Curriculum, Cal SPRE 2009 Annual Fall Conference, November 13-15, 2009, Asilomar, Monterey, California.

Fall 2011-2012: Hayward Promise Neighborhoods $25 million Grant, U.S. Department of Education, 2011 (5 year period). Grant partner to assist in the educational programming in the Jackson Triangle – the community surrounding CSUEB. The special events management course were integrated as partners and facilitators in planning programs and activities.

Spring 2011: “The Job Shadow: Careers in Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism” (2011). Received a $3,985 Research Creativity and Activity Funding Grant, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, California State University, East Bay.

Spring 2010: “Leadership by Design: Summer Day Camp,” CSUEB Associated Students, Inc., $2,670.

Fall 2090-Spring 2010: “Leadership by Design: The Original Summer Institute,” California State University Chancellor’s Office Grant, $6,000. To continue funding the summer day camp for high school students by university students enrolled in a special event planning.

Fall 2008: “Leadership by Design: The Summer Institute,” Target Inc. Grant, $5,000. An innovative program that established the first high school summer day camp run by college students enrolled in either leisure studies/business leadership courses or serving in a leadership role on-campus.

Summer 2006, 2007 & 2008: Leadership by Design and Hayward Orientation Team Training program including supplies/services for new student orientation, Target, Inc. Grants, CSU East Bay.

Awards

Recognition Plaque, Advisor to the Associated Students, Inc., 2008

Director of the Year Award, Division of Student Affairs, 2007

Professional Merit Increase, 2006 and 2007

Nominated, Women of Impact, Notre Dame High School, 2011

Who’s Who in Business Higher Education, 2003, 2004

Dean’s Service Award, College of Education, University of San Francisco, 1999

Graduate Student Council President/Secretary, University of San Francisco, 1997-1999

Advisor of the Year, California Community Colleges, 1995

State Advisor, Student Senate/California Student Association for Community Colleges, 1992-1995

Chair, American Council on Education (ACE) NorCAl Network, 2009-2012

Conference Organizer, ACE Nor Cal Network Mini Conference: “Advancing Women Through Leadership: A Nuts & Bolts Perspective,” April 24, 2009, Cal State East Bay.

“Leadership Hayward,” a yearlong leadership development program sponsored by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hayward, 2008-2009.

“Leadership by Design”, California State University East Bay, 2005-2006 (with Mary D’Alleva and Rae Ann Ianniello). Developed a comprehensive pilot leadership development program in partnership with Student and Academic Affairs professionals.

“The Many Faces of Student Life,” California State University, East Bay, 2005-2008 (with Arthur Jenkins). Multicultural events program combining and integrating Student and Academic Affairs events and activities.

“Student Development and Success,” WASC Portfolio Committee, San Jose State University, Spring ‘04.

Website Development for the Division of Student Affairs, San Jose State University, 2002. Lead team that developed a new design concept for the Division.

“Women’s Basketball: A Fan/Fundraising Perspective,” San Jose State University, Spring 2002. Investigated and reported results of the effects of a college/university sports team, as related to fan/fundraising activities. Student Athlete Mentoring Program, San Jose State University Women’s Basketball, Spring & Fall 2002. Developed a specialized program pairing alumni/friends with student athletes.

External Research Activity

Associate Editor, Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, Oct 2008- Mar 2011.

Workshop reviewer, Annual National Association for Student Affairs Administrators (NASPA) Conference, 2008.

Special Projects

Chair and Conference Organizer, ACE/OWHE Nor Cal Network Mini Conference: “Advancing Women Through Leadership: A Nuts & Bolts Perspective,” April 24, 2009, Cal State East Bay.

“Leadership Hayward,” a yearlong leadership development program sponsored by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hayward, 2008-2009.

“Leadership by Design”, California State University East Bay, 2005-2006 (with Mary D’Alleva and Rae Ann Ianniello). Developed a comprehensive pilot leadership development program in partnership with Student and Academic Affairs professionals.

“The Many Faces of Student Life,” California State University, East Bay, 2005-2008 (with Arthur Jenkins). Multicultural events program combining and integrating Student and Academic Affairs events and activities.

“Student Development and Success,” WASC Portfolio Committee, San Jose State University, Spring ‘04.

Website Development for the Division of Student Affairs, San Jose State University, 2002. Lead team that developed a new design concept for the Division.

“Women’s Basketball: A Fan/Fundraising Perspective,” San Jose State University, Spring 2002. Investigated and reported results of the effects of a college/university sports team, as related to fan/fundraising activities. Student Athlete Mentoring Program, San Jose State University Women’s Basketball, Spring & Fall 2002. Developed a specialized program pairing alumni/friends with student athletes.