By Laurie Braden, Director of Campus Recreation at Louisiana State University and 2014-2015 NIRSA President

Following the resignation of At-Large Director Tony Daniels, the NIRSA Board of Directors followed the transition process outlined in our Association bylaws to appoint a member to fulfill the remainder of Tony’s term. During the April 28 NIRSA Board of Directors meeting, the NIRSA Board voted to appoint Don Stenta, PhD and Director of Recreational Sports with the Office of Student Life at The Ohio State University, to Tony’s vacated At-Large Director seat.

The transition process includes reviewing the Board position, qualifications, and competencies for the primary skills needed to fill the role, identifying secondary factors specific to Board work over the next two years, collectively seeking names of colleagues for consideration, and the development of a timeline for decision making. Since Don is currently serving as Annual Director on the NIRSA Board, he recused himself from participating in the transition process.

The Board values Don’s experience at The Ohio State University over the past 20+ years, especially his perspective afforded him by leading positions within residence life, student activities, and the Ohio Union, as well as multiple roles—visiting assistant professor, lecturer, and associate director—within the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is also a long-time member of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

Dr. Stenta joined NIRSA in 2011, soon after his appointment as the Director of Student Life and Recreational Sports at The Ohio State University. He quickly immersed himself in the Association by presenting at each NIRSA Annual Conferences since 2012, and serving on both the Centennial Celebration of Collegiate Recreation Work Team and the International Experiential Learning Institute Steering Committee. Don was also appointed to serve as Co-Chair of NIRSA’s Leadership Commission in 2012, and is the co-editor of an upcoming New Directions for Student Leadership issue titled “Student Leadership Development through Recreation and Athletics.”

“Don’s passion for leadership development, professional development, and public policy align with strategic priorities for the Association in the next few years,” says Stan Shingles, Assistant Vice President at Central Michigan University and 2015-2016 NIRSA President. “He brings experience related to key areas of NIRSA’s strategic plan to the table, and his continued tenure on the Board in the new role of At-Large Director is a real strength since a core tenet of ‘Future First Governance’ is to avoid a majority of the NIRSA Board turning over each year.”

Don’s broad experience and fluency regarding issues and opportunities that are important to higher education students and professionals ensures that his perspective will bring valuable insight to the efforts of the NIRSA Board of Directors. We are excited to have him and are certain that he will do a wonderful job as At-Large Director for 2015-2017!

 

For more information about the NIRSA Board of Directors, please contact NIRSA Assistant to the Executive Office Breeana Myatt.