Nine for Nine- Candidate #2

Hi All! The Minnesota State Workshop was a great success thanks to all who attended and the St. Cloud State Staff. I'll be posting more on the sessions and governance issues covered at the workshop shortly.

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 Towson University.

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 Bryan for letting the students of Region V get to know you a little better.

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 Nebraska-Omaha is hosting us on November 14, 2008.

Nine for Nine

Hey Region V! I hope the semester is off to a good start, (I know many football seasons are!). As a student leader I think it’s important to get to know the professionals that work hard to keep our association running. In an effort to help you get to know our board of directors, prominent professionals and just great all around people, I have created Nine for Nine. Nine Questions for Nine Professionals. Throughout the year I will be interviewing them on various topics on student development and other pressing issues.

Our first candidate is Vicki Highstreet, NIRSA President and Senior Assistant Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We are extremely fortunate to have the president of our association in our region as she will be making many appearances at state workshops, the student lead on (Which is Friday, Nov. 14th! Save the Date!), and the national conference. Be sure to introduce yourself when you see Vicki.

How did you get your start in campus recreation?
I started in campus recreation in a round-about way. I was a teacher, and decided to get my masters. I was working at the health center as a graduate student who was asked to develop a non-credit fitness program. The graduate assistantship turned into a full time job. Campus Recreation had very few facilities at the time, but we're just getting ready to build a new Campus Recreation Center. Stan Campbell, the Director of Campus Recreation, had conversations with me about moving to Campus Recreation and the timing was right to expand the program. There were only 5 professionals at the time and now we’ve exploded to 35 - 40 professionals. I guess you could say I evolved into campus recreation. And one of the best parts is that my job is different everyday and every year.



What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
By far it’s the ability to bring in new students whether undergraduates or graduate students and mentor them through this phase of their careers. It is our responsibility to mentor them and provide opportunities for them so that when they leave the University of Nebraska they have the experiences and skills necessary to market themselves in the profession.


As NIRSA President, you are faced with a wide range of duties, any suggestions to students on how to balance life, work and play?
I think the biggest thing is surrounding yourself with people who have the passion and skills that complement you, and then trusting them to fulfill their responsibilities and contribute to the whole. If you think you can do it all yourself, you won’t be happy, and you won’t be as successful because others bring different talents and are often times more experienced. Knowing how to let people do what they do best is key to accomplishing the end goals. And always show your gratitude for the contributions of others.



What role do you see students playing in the association (NIRSA) as it progresses?
The exciting part of the new governance model is that it will involve so many more members (students and professionals) in the progress of the association. There are so many more opportunities to get involved. The students will have the same opportunities for creating new ideas, working through the development process and, implementing them and any other member. All it will take is initiative. There involvement will enhance our opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of our profession, giving our clientele what they need to be successful in our programs.


In your opinion, how does NIRSA enable/enhance the student members?
As we all gain new experiences, participation in Collegiate Recreational Sports enhances your ability to work with people, which is what our profession is about. If you take advantage of the diversity available in a Rec Sports work settings you will develop your communication skills, your problem solving skills, the ability to think outside the box, and your ability to develop and follow through with new ideas. We are a profession that, for the most part, encourages new ideas on all levels. NIRSA members like to see everyone succeed. We help each other- it’s all about making each other better. Our ability and desire to provide the avenue to learn life skills, no matter where you end up, no matter what profession you end up in, is a large enhancement to the student experience. Get involved! Be an active member.


Throughout your career, what would you say is the most memorable moment of your NIRSA experience? Why does that particular incident stand out?
The longer I’m in the profession I think the thing that gives me the most satisfaction is when I have the opportunity to see my former graduate students go out into the professional work force and, not only succeed, but make an impact on the profession. Putting in face-to-face time at conferences and workshops with the people who have gone through our program and are all over the United States is extremely rewarding. I have such pride in their accomplishments and the professionals they have become.



As a leader in campus recreation, how do you motivate those around you?
I think you give them permission to fail and in doing so you encourage them to take risks, to do things without fear of being called out or called down When a failure happens they can assess the situation and talk about what they would do differently and what they learned from it. I think you often times learn more from failing then succeeding. But if you never take the risk you never know what you could accomplish, and you never know how far you can go in your own creativity.



What advice would you give students of Region V (and student members nationally)?
(I wish I would’ve had someone tell me this earlier!) You need to step out of your home (the department you’re in, the school you’re at, your comfort zone) and see how other people are doing things. See how they’re solving problems, the same problems that you may be experiencing. You need to take advantage of the opportunity to have conversations with professionals and fellow students and learn from each other. Your discussions about what worked or what didn’t gives you a new perspective on your job. Take advantage of every chance you get to go to a workshop/conference and network. Networking has many benefits, of which one is others learn who you are and what your interests are. The professionals notice you when you take the initiative to step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself. Another benefit is that it allows you to talk candidly to someone at your career level or any level. You should not be intimidated by someone who has 5, 15 or 20 years on you. They had professionals that worked with them as students and now they want to talk with you. It is a great component of preparation for the next phase of your career.



What’s your favorite color?
I probably should say red. But really my favorite color is blue.


Thank you, Vicki, for your time and advice.

Let the Semester Begin!

Hey Everyone!

If you are like the thousands of other students on campus this fall, you're already starting to feel overwhelmed with classes, volunteering, friends and making time for the gym on a regular basis ( Twice a week is considered as 'regular basis' right?).

I know my life always seems daunting as September is in full swing. Take it one day at a time and don't forget to reward yourself! Ice cream anyone?

On a more serious note, as your semester is underway, I encourage you to think about volunteering on a committee for the Region V Student Lead On. It's a great opportunity that will benefit it you exponentially throughout your membership with NIRSA ( or if you're not a student member, it will help you become acquainted with the association). Whether you can volunteer 5 minutes or 5 hours, the state students reps and I would be happy to have you serve on a committee.

Please email me (anna-roskowinski@uiowa.edu) if you want to get involved!


Coming Up- An Exclusive Interview with President Elect- Bryan Harris from Towson University. He even reveals his favorite color!