Bri Swope is an Associate Professor of Instruction at The University of Iowa and has her Master's degree in Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. She is a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). She worked as a Student & Family Advocate at North Central Junior High School for four years, working primarily with students involved with the Juvenile Court System as well as students with mental health crisis.

She facilitates a three-week Child Life Experiential Learning Study Abroad Course for University of Iowa Students to Cape Town, South Africa and a winter term study abroad course to Santiago, Chile. She has co-facilitated an Alternative Spring Break Service-Learning Course for University of Iowa Students to Give Kids the World in Florida. She has also co-facilitated a winter term course that brings an in-hospital camping experience to pediatric patients at The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, “Camp Have-A-Lotsa-Fun-A”, that has partnered with the Iowa Children’s Museum.

She is a board member of the Iowa Children’s Museum, and facilitates a sibling support group in partnership with ChildServe and is a member of the Association for Child Life Professionals, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and the Iowa inclusive and Therapeutic Recreation Association.

She was awarded the 2020 CLAS Outstanding Outreach and Public Engagement, the 2022 Distinguished Associate Professor of Instruction Awards, and the 2024 FilmScene Visionary Volunteer Award. Her husband and three boys enliven her play spirit and it is through adventures, experiential learning, and teaching that the importance and benefits of play, recreation, and inclusion is apparent.

  Bri Swope CV

Courses Taught

• TR:2077 Children and Families in Healthcare
• TR:3261 Inclusive Recreation
• TR:3164 Clinical Practice in TR
• TR:3162 TR: Clientele
• TR:5261 Family Systems