Outdoor Adventure Education Lecturer Honoured with 2024 Karl Rohnke Creativity Award
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is proud to congratulate María José (Mache) Treviño Gonzalez, Programme Manager for the MA in Outdoor Adventure Education and Lecturer in Sports & Healthy Living, on receiving the prestigious 2024 Karl Rohnke Creativity Award from the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). The award was presented at the recent AEE International Conference in Colorado.
The award recognises Mache’s exceptional dedication to experiential education, showcasing her innovative teaching methods, resource development, and engagement with diverse communities. Established in 1997, the Karl Rohnke Creativity Award celebrates educators whose pioneering work inspires joy, play, and meaningful learning experiences—qualities that Mache exemplifies in her career.
On receiving the award, Mache said:
“I am beyond grateful and honoured for receiving this award. I vividly remember Karl saying that he envisioned us as ‘instigators’, more than ‘facilitators’, and I take this by heart in my role at UWTSD. We have the wonderful opportunity to ‘instigate’ change, connection, empathy and social justice with our actions, and with that, nurture the world we dream of.”
With over two decades of experience, Mache’s impact on experiential education spans continents. Her dedication to making education accessible and impactful is evident in her extensive portfolio of books, manuals, and digital resources, widely utilised by educators and community leaders globally. As a staff member at UWTSD, Mache brings her unique blend of creativity and experiential learning to Outdoor and Adventure Education, designing engaging hybrid learning programmes and collaborating with local communities in Wales.
Beyond her work at UWTSD, Mache’s influence extends to Latin America, where she co-founded Crecimiento y Aventura, a consulting agency that integrates experiential learning with community development to address critical social issues, including gender equality and social justice. Her efforts have helped expand the reach of experiential education in the region, with a focus on creating transformative learning opportunities.
Dr Dylan Blain, Academic Director for the Sport & Healthy Living Portfolio at UWTSD said:
” A wonderful recognition for a member of staff within the Department of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education. Very well deserved and highlighting a true reward for creativity and innovation that Mache brings to all of her work, and we’re grateful that’s been able to do that at the university also.”
Mache’s award celebrates her dedication to fostering creativity, play, and exploration in learning—values that align with UWTSD’s commitment to innovative and impactful education. We join the global community in applauding her well-deserved honour.