Ross, Dr. Susan L
Associate Professor
Recreation Therapy
Department of Public Health
Preferred: susan.ross@sjsu.edu
Telephone
Preferred: (408) 924-3007 (email is preferred)
Office Hours
Please email for an appointment
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Transformative Learning, California Institute of Integral Studies. 2008
- Master of Science, Recreation Therapy, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. 1996
Licenses and Certificates
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, CTRS
Recreation Therapist Certified, RTC
Bio
Dr. Suzy Ross is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health at San José State University. Her research examines the science of human transformation through transdisciplinary perspectives bridging fields such as psychology, tourism, natural sciences, and transpersonal studies. Her publications in peer-reviewed journals build upon her Figure-8 Model of Transformation™, extending its application and deepening understanding of the phenomenon of transformation and integration across diverse disciplines and contexts.
Dr. Ross has received the Legendary Achievement Award for service to Northern California, the California Educator Award (2014, 2026), the 91ÁÔÆæ Service-Learning and Community Engagement Award, and has been named an 91ÁÔÆæ President’s Global Studies Fellow. A licensed and certified recreation therapist, she also leads faculty-led study abroad programs in Peru in collaboration with Indigenous elders, exploring transformation, healing, and the recovery of Indigenous knowledge.