She has been an educator in therapeutic recreation, adapted physical education, rehabilitation studies, occupational therapy, and related fields. As an educator, she is an active researcher and writer, having authored three other books and two book chapters. She received the Dean's Award for Research in 2002 and was named recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Service Award by the Mental Health Association of Pitt County. Rouse is on the National Advisory Panel for Evidence-Based Decision-Making and Active Learning Strategies, and she was a coprincipal investigator for the Learn and Serve Grant. She and her husband, Frank, live in Blounts Creek, North Carolina, where she enjoys running, boating, and writing, in addition to her teaching.