The Therapeutic Recreation Experiential Education Team, or TREE, is composed of graduate students from the University of Tennessee who have very witty senses of humor but take their jobs very seriously.
Emily Toth
Emily was born and raised in Knoxville Tennessee and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation/Sports Management with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation from The University of Tennessee. She has had a lifelong dream of working with individuals with disabilities and was able to realize her passion while working at Camp Koinonia, Camp Oginali, Camp Koinonia Retreat, and Camp Acacia in Arkansas. This will be her second year with the TREE team program where she will be pursuing her master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. When Emily is not in the office you can find her taking her dogs on hikes around Knoxville, reading, or building puzzles!
Emily Sykes
Emily was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in May of 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, along with a minor in American Sign Language. Emily spent 4 years during her undergrad competing for the Vols on the women’s swim team. She took her 5th year of eligibility to compete for the vols while pursuing her Masters Degree in Therapeutic Recreation as a first year grad student! Emily’s love for sport and working with individuals who have disabilities encouraged her to explore recreation therapy. Emily is very passionate about inclusion in sport. She hopes to work in the adaptive sport field or a community based rec therapy intervention program one day! When she is not in the office, you can find Emily in a pool, exploring the Smoky Mountains, or finding new restaurants in Knoxville. She is very excited to be a 2nd year member of the TREE Team!
Jay Hoppes
Jay is from Taylorsville, North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University in December 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in health studies. He discovered his passion for working with individuals with disabilities by working as a camp counselor and director for KE Camps in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. This will be his first year on the TREE team where he will be pursuing his master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. When Jay is not in the office, you can find him playing volleyball, reading, or exploring Knoxville.
Robert “Harrison” Strobel
Harrison has recently finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Mississippi in Exercise Science with a minor in Therapeutic Recreation. He is a first year graduate student in the Therapeutic Master’s program and serves with the TREE Team. He looks forward to a great two years at the University of Tennessee.
Kathryn Creveling
Kat Creveling was born in San Diego, California, and lived in Southern California till her family moved to West Tennessee in 2016. Kat graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Education with an American Sign Language Interpreting Concentration in 2021. While in undergrad, Kat discovered the sport of fencing and went on to serve as president of the UTK fencing club for three years. Her desire to find a career that allowed her to merge her interests in sport and working with people with disabilities led to her pursuing a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. In addition to working with the TREE Team, Kat also teaches PYED 270, Adaptive Recreation, a UTK P.E course that gives students a chance to learn about sports designed for people with disabilities such as wheelchair basketball, goalball, and sitting volleyball. When she is not working, you can find Kat snapping photos on her camera, diving into a new art project, or spending time in Knoxville’s urban wilderness! She’s looking forward to her second year as a member of the TREE Team!