Charles Marsden brings energy, expertise to OHIO’s regional campuses

This article was updated on Sept. 3, 2025

OHIO Eastern, OHIO Lancaster, and OHIO Zanesville are proud to feature Charles Marsden as a visiting professor of recreation and sport services.

Bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for physical education, Marsden is committed to engaging students and the surrounding communities in innovative and exciting ways across all three campuses.

A strong educational foundation

Marsden grew up in New York state, where he pursued both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Reflecting on his academic journey, he shared, “I did my undergraduate in physical education (with a concentration in elementary education), followed immediately by a master’s in health education.”

This strong foundation in education fuels his dedication to fostering student engagement and developing impactful programs for students at every level.

Building programs and communities

Throughout his career, Marsden has been instrumental in starting and growing a variety of sports programs and clubs.

“I started a mountain biking club, an indoor rock-climbing club — just a whole bunch of sports and clubs,” Marsden said. “Eventually, I was running sports camps and a girls’ lacrosse program. I just got to the point where I gained tons of experience.”

His ability to bring people together and create meaningful opportunities is something he takes great pride in.

“I'm very good at helping people come together for a common cause,” he said. “Building programs with a sense of camaraderie makes it something that the community will have a vested interest in and value.”

Marsden brings this same energy and enthusiasm to OHIO Eastern, OHIO Lancaster and OHIO Zanesville, working with students, faculty, and local organizations to grow interest in the Recreation and Sport Services program.

Engaging local schools and communities

Marsden has been reaching out to local high schools and arranging collaborative activities and events where he shares his teaching/coaching expertise while promoting the Recreation and Sport Services program and related �� degree programs. The aim is to attract more students to �� and its regional campuses. His enthusiasm for student involvement and program growth is evident in his proactive outreach efforts.

By actively reaching out to students and local community partners, he's committed to creating additional opportunities that benefit both students and community members, helping to strengthen connections between the campus and the broader communities.

Commitment to online education and student engagement

Marsden’s graduate thesis explored key factors influencing the success of online graduate education, and he continues to apply those insights in his teaching.

“It is very important to have that same connection you would get in a brick-and-mortar classroom. You need to make opportunities for students to see you before and after scheduled sessions. Students need to have a voice, and you must be responsive within a 24–48-hour turnaround; otherwise, you’ll lose that feeling of engagement,” he said.

His commitment to accessible, responsive instruction ensures students across all three campuses feel supported and connected.

Enhancing program offerings with industry certifications

Marsden is expanding program offerings by incorporating industry-recognized credentials into the curriculum.

“We are in the process of getting the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Personal Fitness Trainer certifications approved as a part of the program,” he explained. This foundation allows students to immediately pursue careers in personal fitness, whether in the corporate world, coaching, or even working with colleges to enhance people’s fitness and performance.

Looking ahead: Continuing to build opportunities

For fall semester, Marsden plans to offer presentations to raise awareness about the Recreation and Sport Services program and health and fitness in general to the community.

His energy, experience, and dedication make him a valuable addition to OHIO Eastern, OHIO Lancaster and OHIO Zanesville and he’s eagerly engaged in his new role. Students and faculty alike can look forward to the positive impact he will bring to the University and the community.

The OHIO regional campuses are thrilled to have Dr. Marsden join the community. His extensive background in education, program development, and student engagement makes him a perfect fit for the Recreation and Sport Services department, complementing the longstanding legacy of the program in the community.