TUESDAY – OCTOBER 29th 8:30am-9:30am

“Competition Makes Us Faster; Collaboration Makes Us Better”: How to Get Your Rec Staff to Work Better Together

Stephen Lynam and Kelly Sorge – Merrimack College

Are you having trouble getting your staff motivated? Are communication skills lacking? Are you trying to build a better work environment but aren’t sure how? Join us to learn how to bring out the best in your staff through a little healthy competition. Attendees can expect to learn how to identify their staffs needs and address them through a fun, team-based incentive program.

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A Recreation Director’s Panel Discussion on New Generations and New Mindsets: How Gen Z is Redefining Recreation and Wellness on Campus

Jen Gudaz – Cornell University

Stephanie Kloos-Smith – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Robert Simels – The College of New Jersey

Gary Wohlsetter – University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Monica Verity – Wellesley College

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Expanding your Healthy Campus Initiative: Solution Driven Collaborations

Cindy Cowden – SUNY at Binghamton

Many campuses are interested in integrating well-being practices into their culture, but despite shared beliefs in the value of well-being, competing interests and priorities present challenges. Binghamton University’s Healthy Campus Initiative has achieved success in improving our culture of well-being through key collaborations, some of which were born from operational challenges. Recreation professionals have employed strategic case-building for integration by selling solutions and managing priorities from the fringe. We’ll share our experiences and encourage attendee conversation.

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Esports: Learn from the Experts

Jon Neely and Jordan Sheets – Stevenson University

More and more Collegiate Recreation offices are being tasked with running an ESports program.  Who do you turn to for information?  Come get your questions answered by Stevenson University’s “non-expert” (Matt Grimm – Assistant Athletic Director, Campus Recreation), and the “actual experts” (Jon Neely – Head Coach, League of Legends / Jordan Sheets – Head Coach, Overwatch).

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TUESDAY – OCTOBER 29th 9:45am-10:45am

NIRSA, You & Our Future

Jocelyn Hill – American University

Come learn about the proposed amendments to NIRSA’s Bylaws, the Strategic Values of the Association and pathways to your future.

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LAST LECTURE SERIES 

Kurt Klier & Eric Stein 

Based on Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture, this session will feature two speakers that will give a hypothetical “final talk” where they can impart to the world words of wisdom and advice to the attendees. 

Kurt Klier (University of Maryland, College Park) has been an active NIRSA advocate through his work through the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors, serving as Region 1 Vice President, NIRSA Foundation Student Officials’ Development Task Force, NIRSA Championship Series Executive Committee & Chair, NIRSA Governance Commission, NIRSA Sports Officials Development Program Chair, NIRSA Representative for the Coalition of Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention, and serving on the NASO Officials Development Alliance. His accolades include being identified as a NIRSA Legacy Member, Annual Group  Service Award Recipient, Region I Award of Merit, the Horace Moody Award, Flag & Touch Football Rules Book Dedication Recipient, and the NIRSA Service/Contribution Award Recipient.  Kurt brings a wealth of experience mentoring students and professionals and continues to serve diligently our profession.

Join NIRSA Legend Eric Stein (Retired Stanford) for reflections on his 42 year Professional Career and Personal Life guaranteed to be worth the cost of admission to the Region 1 Conference!  Stein, the youngest President in the history of NIRSA (32 years old), will provide insightful reflections on his professional journey including work at a junior college, College of Lake County, 2 large public institutions, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and University of South Carolina plus 2 private institutions including Princeton and Stanford.  He will reflect on how to be productive and “get things done” and still have a smile on your face along with a good sense of humor.  Stein will weave NIRSA historical highlights into the presentation that shaped the organization plus personal reflections that helped him discover what is really important in life! Come and enjoy this special conversation!!!

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Building a Campus Culture of Well-Being: Rowan THRIVE

Kevin George – Rowan University & Kimmi Sterner – Wounded Warrior

Thrive…don’t just survive!  This is the mindset and culture that can be integrated through a campus wide vision of well-being.  Join us as Rowan Campus Recreation shares their model of well-being and Rowan Thrive through intentional and meaningful partnerships institution-wide.  See how the campus culture is shifting to prioritize preventative means for health and well-being, rather than reactionary measures. The session will share the initiatives and work that has made student and employee well-being as a priority on campus.

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Transforming Your Staff Meetings from Basic, to Basically Awesome!

Nora Osei – Princeton University

Have you ever sat through a meeting and afterwards thought, “What in the world was the point of that meeting?!” Better yet, have you ever FACILITATED a meeting and afterwards thought to yourself, “Okay, I HOPE my staff took SOMETHING from that.” In this presentation, you will learn tips, tricks, and considerations to ensure that your staff meetings are productive, efficient, and fun, while improving your staff culture! Your meetings will leave your staff eagerly awaiting the next one!

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TUESDAY – OCTOBER 29th 11:00am-12:00pm

Buying Power/Senior Level/Director Lunch

Directors or designees with purchasing authority are encouraged to attend

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Student Lead On & Lunch – *11am-2:15pm

Students are highly encouraged to attend the Student Lead on with educational sessions and lunch!

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Destigmatizing Cultural Norms within Collegiate Recreation

Joseph Rock – University of Massachusetts Lowell, Corbin Ross – University of Massachusetts Amherst & Delaney Ledoux – University of Massachusetts- Boston

An educational program that is for those who want to learn about inclusion and diversity in a fun, non-traditional way.  This is an interactive program to help promote an open and diverse mindset.

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Get Your Head in the Game: Concussion Management in Club and Intramural Sports

Jason Hess and Kurt Klier & University of Maryland, College Park 

Don’t get caught behind the curve on concussion management!  Come learn about the process of implementing a full removal and return to play protocol to protect your Club and Intramural Participants, as well as your department.  This session will examine the process of implementing concussion management, including two full time Athletic Trainers (ATC), as well as provide an opportunity for discussion and sharing of strategies among attendees.

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TUESDAY – OCTOBER 29th 3:00-4:00pm

LIGHTNING TALK (3:00pm-3:30pm)- RCRSP, The NIRSA Professional Registry

Earl Cabellon – University of Maryland, College Park

A “Registered Collegiate Recreational Sports Professional” (RCRSP) is a designation that provides our constituency information about us regarding the value we place on continuous learning and keeping current in our field. Whether you are communicating with upper administration, professionals in other institutions or those we serve every day, it is important to show that we are purposeful in our continuous development. The eight, research identified, core competencies provide professionals a guide to build a broad foundation of knowledge in the field. The old saying goes . . . “you don’t know what you don’t know!” Be a part of this discussion-packed session and be in the know! Here from NIRSA’s Registry commissioners about the process, potential changes, and the benefits to you as a professional.

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LIGHTNING TALK (3:30pm-4:00pm)- Series 2.0:  Advancing the NIRSA Championship Series 

Scott Flickinger – Cornell University

Curious to learn more about the NIRSA Championship Series, and about Series 2.0, the new strategic plan unveiled for the Championship Series in 2018?  Here is your opportunity to get the information from an executive member of the Championship Series! Learn more about the history of the Championship Series, what Series 2.0 means for our participants and memberships, some of our focuses for this year, and how to volunteer for the Series.  The Championship Series is not just for competitive sports professionals, it is for EVERYONE! See what the updated Championship Series has to offer!

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LAST LECTURE SERIES 

Dr. Gordon Nesbitt & Tina Pinocci

Based on Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture, this session will feature two speakers that will give a hypothetical “final talk” where they can impart to the world words of wisdom and advice to the attendees. 

Dr. Gordon Nesbitt is an Associate Professor and the Director of Campus Recreation at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Nesbitt has been associated with NIRSA since 1983 serving at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Purdue University, and now at Millersville University where he has been since 1997.  Dr. Nesbitt has been leading team building programs for over 25 years and is a certified facilitator for the “Personify Leadership” development program.  Dr. Nesbitt also worked with the NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation Leadership Commission to develop a model for student leadership development.  Dr. Nesbitt has a passion for student development and leadership training. Dr. Nesbitt is a NIRSA Regional Award of Merit recipient and has a passion for student leadership development.

Tina Pinocci’s 10th grade essay (1978) titled A Career in Recreation served as the catalyst for a lifelong passion which began in the summers of her teen and college years working in various park and recreation settings.  Her professional career began in Winchester VA in 1986 where she served as a Sports Specialist for the county’s parks and recreation department.  At the same time, she joined NIRSA and attended her first national conference in 1987 in New Orleans.  She transitioned to Campus Recreation during her doctoral work at Purdue University, and then in 1992 was hired at Rowan College (now University), where she spent 26.5 years; first as Director of the new Student Recreation Center, and then additionally as Director of the Student Center.  In her final 16 years she served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Life, and lastly, became the Associate Vice President overseeing Campus Recreation, the Student Center and Student Activities.  While serving as an administrator most of her career, her favorite roles and best memories are of creating programs and services for members and participants, but especially enjoying the personal connections she made meeting and working directly with students.  Having recently retired, she is finally working on completing her Ph.D in leisure, travel, play and fun!  

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A New Era: Transforming Collegiate Recreation and Wellness

Colleen McKenna & Mike Cormoni – Cannon Design

The world of collegiate recreation is ever-changing. This session will look at the current and emerging trends reshaping recreation and wellness for future generations. It will highlight leading examples from across the country and share opportunities to make positive, future-focused change on their campuses.

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Club Sports Teams Can Recruit As Many Athletes to Your University as NCAA Teams…And I’ll Prove It!

Matt Grimm  – Stevenson University

At enrollment-driven institutions, recruitment is king.  For too long, Campus Recreation has been viewed simply as a retention program on-campus.  Find out how creating a recruitment model within your Club Sports program can put you into the big leagues!

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TUESDAY – OCTOBER 29th 4:30-5:30pm

Student Officials and Community Programming

Elizabeth Pagliuca – Stony Brook University & Scott Flickinger – Cornell University

College is expensive and wellness is important. Establishing connections with local leagues, certifying organizations and more can support student official growth while creating opportunities for community outreach and involvement. This presentation will provide information on basic steps to creating new programs or integrating new aspects to existing programs that will help institutions in providing positive experiences for student officials. Pros and cons of this type of programming will also be discussed.

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LAST LECTURE SERIES 

Bill Crockett & Jocelyn Hill

Based on Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture, this session will feature two speakers that will give a hypothetical “final talk” where they can impart to the world words of wisdom and advice to the attendees. 

Bill Crockett currently serves as the Executive Director, Campus Life Services & Campus Center and has served at University of Maryland-Baltimore for nearly 30 years.  He has served in various leadership positions including President of the Staff Senate and Chairing the University Council of System Staff (comprising the 11 campuses of the University of Maryland System).  He has been a part of $70+ million in various capital projects while at UMB and currently working on a $2.5 million counseling center project. Bill has been active on several committees, commissions, and task forces through NIRSA.  He has served over 5 years on the Board of Directors and held the position of NIRSA President in 2017-2018. Bill has hosted or chaired several NIRSA regional conferences and institutes.  Not only has he been active in NIRSA, he is also a member of NASPA, ACPA, ACUI, and NACAS.

Jocelyn Hill has been Director of Recreational Sports and Fitness at American University since the fall of 2008, while previously serving as the Associate Director since 1999.  She has served on various committees at American University and successfully completed the University’s first class of the 21’s Leadership Institute in 2015.   She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta, a Greek service organization. Jocelyn is a previous recipient of the Juliette Moor Distinguished Leadership Award, National Service Award, and the Region I Award of Merit through NIRSA.  She currently serves as an At-Large Board of Directors member, has served as a State Director, is a member of the Nominations and Elections and the NIRSA Governance Committees, co-chaired the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Values, and has contributed to the NIRSA Strategic Plan.  She was the founder of the HBCU Summit, chaired Regional and Annual Conferences, and has served on several regional committees and presented at numerous regional/annual conference and other association professional development events.  

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The 9 Lives of a Recreation Center: The Unedited Tales of the Design and Construction Process at Towson University

James Braam – HOK & Grady Sheffield – Towson University

Campus recreation facility renovations offer an unprecedented opportunity to meet the needs of today’s students and infuse energy into campus. This panel discussion will discuss the specific realities of a major campus recreation facility renovation – with Towson University’s Burdick Hall as a case study – and will provide attendees a glimpse into navigating the complex design and construction process to make a university’s facility visions a reality.

LIGHTNING TALK – Campus Wellness Assessment

Chris Nasti – American University

Come learn about American University’s qualitative Campus Wellness Assessment. The assessment consisted of a series of student focus groups that sought to better identified the perceived needs and perceived gaps in our health and wellbeing services on our campus. This Core/Lightning session will take participants through the development, implementation, and results of the assessment. It will conclude with highlighting some of the initiatives that were implemented as a direct result of the assessment.

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LIGHTING TALK – The “Coach Approach” on Campus – Using Behavior Change Skills to Support a Culture of Wellbeing

Thomas Richards – American Council on Exercise

Changing behaviors and creating a culture of health and well-being on campus is notoriously challenging. In this program, you will learn about the “Coach Approach,” which helps individuals develop their own strengths to facilitate successful behavior change, with an understanding that people are already experts on themselves, they just need support to shine a light on their own abilities. You will also learn actionable next steps for immediately beginning to integrate the “Coach Approach” with wellness efforts on campus.

LIGHTNING TALK – Help employees avoid boredom and burnout

Jodi Galucci and Jen Gudaz – Cornell University

Based on the book Radical Candor by Kim Scott and our personal experience, we will discuss techniques for avoiding employee boredom and burnout by caring personally and challenge directly.