By Sarah Leskovec
What are the charges for the NIRSA Assembly?
Fostering new ideas, developing leaders, sharing experience and expertise for the growth and future of collegiate recreation.
To the benefit of our Association, members of this group enjoy vetting ideas by participating in idea exchanges and desire to be catalysts for action and results.
Thank you to the NIRSA members who have completed their term on the Assembly.
The Assembly is able to create a cohort with a strong will to speak up and share ideas, which is what makes their work so great. The Assembly generates ideas, meaningful discussions, and has ultimately influenced the direction of the Association.
As we welcome the newly appointed members of this vibrant and valuable leadership body, we want to express sincere gratitude to those individuals who concluded their term on the Assembly. The NIRSA members who have completed their term are:
Laurie Braden, RCRSP, CRSS, Louisiana State University
Jennifer Gudaz, Cornell University
Amy Lanham, RCRSP, CRSS, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Jaron Rider, RCRSP, Assumption College
Marti Tomlin, RCRSP, University of Richmond
Julia Buchanan, University of Kentucky
Marshal Carpenter, University of Tennessee
Allison Hursh, University of Iowa
Tanaia Keyes, University of Oregon
Melissa Kish, The University of Alabama
Ken Morton, CRSS, Stephen F. Austin State University
Butch Sutton, CRSS, San Jacinto College Central
Erin Zukis, City of Kalamazoo Department or Parks and Recreation
The 2013-2014 NIRSA Assembly has been appointed and certified by the NIRSA Board of Directors and the members will serve from July 1 to June 30. This marks the fourth year for this leadership body and, as in the past, there was a high level of interest from members to serve. A total of 65 applications were submitted to serve on the NIRSA Assembly. Applications were received from every region and for each position. Fourteen seats needed to be filled for the 2013-2014 Assembly, with an option of filling a maximum of nine additional Open Seats. The NIRSA Nominations and Appointments Committee and the Assembly vetted the applications and developed their recommendations which the NIRSA Board approved. Thank you to all Professional, Student and Associate Members who applied for an Assembly position! NIRSA volunteers are a crucial part of the advancement of the Association, their willingness to serve is greatly appreciated.
Listed below is the roster for the 2013-2014 Assembly, by seat. The 18 appointed members will join the returning members who are fulfilling the second year of their term. The 2013-2014 NIRSA Assembly Roster is also available on the NIRSA website.
Board of Directors Representative, Convener (2013-2014)
Darcy Bingham, CRSS, University of California, San Diego
Past Presidents’ Representative (2012-2014)
Jeff Vessely, CRSS, Retired – Indiana University –Purdue University Indianapolis
NIRSA Members (two year term)
Andy Lemons, RCRSP, St. Edward’s University (2012-2014)
Christy Nolan, Wayne State University (2012-2014)
Troy Snow, Oregon State University (2012-2014)
Earl Cabellon, University of Maryland, College Park (2013-2015)
Jessica Gentry, Bradley University (2013-2015)
JT Timmons, University of Illinois Springfield (2013-2015)
NIRSA Professional Members Less Than Five Years (two year term)
Austin Anderson, University of Southern Indiana (2012-2014)
Kristen Brosius, Springfield College (2012-2014)
Nicole Garton, DePaul University (2013-2015)
Mike Valentine, The University of Southern Mississippi (2013-2015)
NIRSA Student Members (one year term)
Katherine Birdsall, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Raquel McKim, Arizona State University
Elizabeth Walz, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Open Seats (one year term)
Tim Bisantz, University of Missouri
Ryan Bradshaw, RCRSP, Mt. Royal University
Linda Clauss, UC Santa Cruz
Chad Day, Auburn University
Kate Durant, RCRSP, University of Connecticut
Jason Foster, Colorado State University
Asha Mata, University of Houston
Stephanne Musser, The Ohio State University
Kimberly Rottet, Cleveland State University
Aaron Tripp, University of Minnesota
Learn more about the work of the Assembly by reading their blog posts. Each month, an Assembly Member recaps their discussions and provides a status update on current and future topics. Recent topics include the following: Inclusion of participants at recreation facilities; mental health first aid; and the Built Community Concept. To stay in touch with what the Assembly is doing, take a few minutes to read the most current NIRSA Assembly Blog post.
