National Park College (NPC) has named Dr. Christina Gump as program director of its new Outdoor Recreation program, which will welcome its first students in fall 2026.
Designed to prepare students for careers in one of Arkansas's fastest-growing industries, the program combines hands-on outdoor experiences, industry partnerships and customizable career pathways that connect recreation, tourism, conservation and skilled trades.
Gump brings decades of experience in natural resources, outdoor education and environmental science to the role. An Arkansas native, she has conducted research in some of the nation's most iconic wilderness areas and spent more than 15 years teaching natural resources at Flathead Valley Community College in Montana before returning home to join NPC as an associate professor of biology.
"I spent a lot of my childhood playing in the woods, swimming and climbing trees," Gump said. "Those early experiences instilled in me a wonder of the natural world and a sense of adventure."
After earning a bachelor's degree in microbiology from the University of Arkansas, a master's degree in biology from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate in biological sciences from Idaho State University, Gump built a career centered on understanding and protecting natural resources. Her work has taken her from the Buffalo National River to Yellowstone National Park and remote wilderness areas across the western United States and Ecuador.
Now, she is helping build a program designed to connect students with the outdoors while preparing them for meaningful careers.
Beginning in fall 2026, NPC's Outdoor Recreation program will offer an Associate of Applied Science degree, a technical certificate and multiple certificates of proficiency that allow students to customize their education based on their interests and career goals, serving both credit and non-credit seeking students.
"This program is unique in that it allows students to choose several different pathways tailored to their interests," Gump said. "They can combine outdoor leadership and programming with areas like welding or marine repair technology, creating skill sets that are valuable across a wide range of industries."
Gump said her background in biology and natural resources aligns closely with the program's mission of preparing students to both enjoy and steward outdoor spaces.
"You have to understand the resource to create a positive outdoor recreational experience," Gump said. "A healthy ecosystem creates a healthy recreational environment and boosts the economy."
Located alongside Hot Springs National Park and surrounded by lakes, trails and public lands, NPC provides a unique setting for experiential learning. Students will gain practical experience through outdoor labs, field-based instruction and internships with parks, tourism organizations and industry partners throughout the region.
"Every semester, students will have the opportunity to be outside and working with
their hands," Gump said. "They may have a lecture class, but they will also be hiking,
kayaking or learning outdoor skills in real-world settings."
Dr. Chuck Argo, vice president for academic affairs, said the appointment marks an important milestone as the college prepares to launch the program.
"Dr. Gump brings an exceptional combination of academic expertise, industry knowledge and passion for the outdoors," Argo said. "Her experience developing students, building community partnerships and understanding the relationship between natural resources and recreation makes her uniquely qualified to lead this program. We are excited to welcome our first students and continue building a workforce that supports Arkansas's growing outdoor recreation economy."
Graduates will be prepared for careers in local, state and federal parks, outdoor recreation and tourism organizations, conservation agencies and private industry. Students may also use the program as a foundation for entrepreneurship or transfer opportunities.
"A big part of this job will be identifying the needs of the community and working with local partners to create internships and job opportunities," Gump said. "These degrees are intended for students to be hired upon graduation."
Gump said the program also has the potential to benefit the broader region by promoting sustainable outdoor recreation practices while supporting workforce development.
"If outdoor recreation is done with sustainable practices, the local economy and communities will benefit in the long run," she said.
As program director, Gump said she is excited to combine her passion for teaching with her love of Arkansas's natural resources.
"I love Arkansas. I love teaching," she said. "I know how special this state is, and I want to contribute to people enjoying the outdoors in a way that lasts for generations."
For students considering the program, her message is simple.
"I hope you like to be outside," Gump said. "I hope you like learning. And I hope you like to have fun."
For more information about the Outdoor Recreation program, visit np.edu/OutdoorRec.