One professional I would encourage all student members to get to know is Bryan Harris, NIRSA President Elect. I met Bryan at the summer board of directors meetings in Corvallis, Oregon and have had the opportunity to work with Bryan on a membership workteam. He is a great mentor who has a great amount of confidence in our student members. Here are a few questions he had time to answer.
Bryan Harris currently serves as the Director of Campus Recreation Services at
1. How did you get your start in campus recreation?
It wasn’t until the last quarter of my senior year [of undergraduate]. I had moved back home and wanted a job so I approached the rec sports office. They told me they would hire me but preference went to people who worked in the fall. The director told me I could call him everyday and see if there were openings. I went from working no hours to working everyday as an official. The director was impressed with my dedication and ability to hustle and told me about graduate assistantships in campus recreation….
2. What is the most enjoyable part about your career?
The most enjoyable part by far is working with the students; watching the students work and develop throughout the year. It’s fulfilling to see intramural teams get excited out on the fields in their jerseys practicing their plays before their weekly game. Seeing the fun they have while engaging in our programs.
3. What is the most frustrating aspect of your job?
Many times you try to be helpful and students or other university members don’t appreciate your commitment and philosophy. It can be frustrating to be short funded, or when a facility is under construction it’s frustrating trying to juggle all of your participants’ needs. Mostly the most frustrating aspects of the job are impediments beyond your control. Other times students are having a good time and they cross the line and become destructive to your program, or facility or take out their anger on your officials.
4. What kind of goals do you have for the student members of NIRSA?
Student Lead Ons are one of my favorite conferences. Students should look at the opportunities they have before them. We are a multi faceted association and there is a lot of room for student involvement. I also think it’s important for students to help other students develop and help them see opportunities. I challenge the student members to take ownership of their association, link up with a professional mentor, and take part in presentations, and seek out internships at other schools or within other parts of their own department. I hope they help the association to grow, challenge the professionals to unlock their potential as a leader and their potential in helping our participants. Another goal I have is for students to lead by example, and spreading the word about NIRSA. Students have the ability to make people feel comfortable about our association. Students can serve as an ambassador for NIRSA and get involved in any way shape or form.
5. Who is your mentor? And what kind of impact have they had on your professional and personal development?
I have many mentors. Ron Althoff saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to be a graduate assistant. Gene Harper showed me a calm steady demeanor, taught me how to relate to people, and he was a person who was always available. He gave me constructive criticism when necessary and I could talk to him about anything. He was a solid foundation in my professional career. Gene taught me to take the time and meet people and invest time in them by listening to their needs. Mary Daniels, former NIRSA president, is another mentor. She is poised and the consummate professional. She was always able to lend a hand, and lead me into the right paths with great advice throughout my career.
6. Who or What encouraged you to run for President?
I think talking with Vicki (current president) was a big encouragement. I stood for office against Vicki, and then she asked me to run again. And here I am today.
7. What goals do you have for your term in office?
You develop an agenda based on what is needed. Some parts of that agenda depends on what happens in our [BOD] meetings. I look at the governance commission, at our strategic map and see where we are headed in the future. Within our research agenda- I would like to see more professionals and students involved. We are looking at different position papers on hot topics, assessment on college campuses, and what substantial benchmarking we have been able to sustain that verifies the value of students’ education. It is a constant effort to make sure the Board of Directors and NIRSA national center are on the same page, and working together. We depend on each other. When you get elected, you enter into a “contract” with the members of the association and the NNC. We have to work together; we have to have faith and confidence in each other. I sincerely hope that everyone can have the trust and confidence in me to work to support the NIRSA’s mission, vision and values. I also want to do what I can in terms of helping the NIRSA Foundation raise their second million dollars.
8. What’s the one piece of advice you would give students?
I would tell students to have patience. Be sure to participate and have patience. There’s a history and reasons why things happen. Invest the time, learn the culture and develop trust in the person/people working with you. But you have to understand and appreciate the process of decision-making. I would advise students to seek every opportunity available to them.. The more involved you are the more exposed you will become to different ideas, and different philosophies. You can then meld together the things that worked and didn’t work. I encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity to be involved in something. It’s easy to have a graduate assistant position and to not be involved outside of that; Challenge yourself.
9. Last but certainly not least, What’s your favorite color?
Red or brown.
Thank you
Our Region V Lead On is coming up!!! Here’s your chance to get involved in planning a professional conference. This year the University of
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