Classroom to Career: Jason Burton Guides Students in Outdoor Recreation
Published: February 05, 2026 | Author: Gabrielle Costello | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University students studying Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (ORPT) are learning from exceptional faculty who have truly lived the profession. Jason Burton, program director and lecturer in the Outdoor Recreation and Parks and Tourism program within the Department of Kinesiology and Recreation, brings more than two decades of hands-on industry experience into the classroom to help students in their education.
Originally from Kentucky, Burton earned his undergraduate degree in outdoor recreation and a master’s degree in public administration before launching a 20-year career in the field. His professional journey includes roles as a park ranger, climbing guide, fly fishing instructor, municipal parks and recreation director, and more. Along the way, he even lived and worked as a park ranger in Zion National Park - an experience that eventually drew him back to southern Utah.
“When this opportunity [to work at SUU] came along, I was excited to return to higher education and use that professional experience to help the next generation of outdoor recreation professionals,” Burton said.
Burton’s real-world experience helped shape his teaching philosophy. He emphasizes that outdoor recreation is ultimately a service-oriented career focused on helping others experience the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of time spent outdoors.
“It’s not about getting a degree so you can play outside,” Burton said. “It’s about learning how to introduce others to the benefits that the outdoors has given you.”
The ORPT program at SUU is intentionally small, with just three full-time faculty members, allowing for meaningful faculty-student relationships. Burton says those small class sizes make a significant difference.
“We get to know our students by name, understand their interests, and mentor them toward specific career goals,” he said. “Whether it’s helping a student navigate the USAJobs hiring process or preparing a resume for a park ranger position, that one-on-one support really matters.”
As the only official designated “University of the Parks” in the United States, SUU regularly takes students’ learning beyond the classroom, thanks to the proximity to multiple national parks and monuments, ample recreation opportunities, and access to outdoor career prep.
“We call it the world’s best backyard,” Burton said. “Within 20 to 30 minutes, we can be in a national park or monument, applying what we’re learning in real time.”
Students also benefit from on-campus facilities such as the climbing wall and rappel station in the PE building, as well as partnerships with SUU Outdoors, Outdoor Pathways, and the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative. These collaborations provide hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and direct connections to internships and practicums throughout Utah’s thriving outdoor recreation industry.
“Our students finish with both academic knowledge and industry-recognized certifications,” Burton said. “That combination is essential for getting a foot in the door.”
Graduates of the program pursue a wide range of careers, including park rangers, river and climbing guides, outdoor educators, recreation technicians, municipal parks and recreation directors, and camp administrators. Burton hopes students begin their careers gaining hands-on experience before eventually moving into leadership and administrative roles.
“Hearing from former students who land jobs or realize how something they learned here helped them years later - that’s incredibly meaningful,” he said.
Looking ahead, Burton hopes to continue growing the ORPT program by strengthening partnerships with outdoor recreation and tourism organizations across Utah, expanding experiential learning opportunities, and helping other faculty incorporate outdoor learning into their courses.
"At the end of the day, spending time in nature is medicine,” Burton said. “If we can train students to experience that for themselves and then pass it on to others, that’s the best work we can do."
Learn more about education and career opportunities in Outdoor Recreation provided by exceptional faculty like Jason Burton.
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