By Kristal Fehring
The NIRSA Assembly serves as the Association’s “think-tank”—it’s focused on the growth and future of collegiate recreation. As 2014-2015 Assembly member Stephanne Musser, Assistant Director Fitness Services at The Ohio State University, says, the focus is “on the potential issues surrounding our profession.” Assembly members enjoy vetting new ideas, developing leaders, and really want to be catalysts for action and results.
As we welcome the newly-appointed members of this vibrant and valuable leadership body—which is truly unique in the breadth of NIRSA membership diversity it represents—the Association wants to express sincere gratitude to the following individuals who have concluded their term on the Assembly:
Timothy Bisantz, Southern New Hampshire University
Robert Bostick, Northern Illinois University
Earl Cabellon, University of Maryland, College Park
Michele Culpepper, Lubbock Christian University
Jason Darby, Florida Southern College
Mike Dominguez, Sonoma State University
Ashley Donaldson, Texas A&M University
Nicole Garton, DePaul University
Jessica Gentry, University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Alivia Gok, California State University, Sacramento
Jessica Hobart, North Carolina State University
Korey Lane, Northeastern University
Stephanne Musser, The Ohio State University
Gabrielle Sokol, University of Mississippi
JT Timmons, The University of Iowa
Mike Valentine, Eau Claire Public Health Department
The 2015-2016 NIRSA Assembly has been finalized and approved by the NIRSA Board of Directors, and the members will serve from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. This marks the sixth year for this leadership body, and—as has been the case for the past few years—there was a high level of interest from members who wished to serve; nearly 50 members applied for an opportunity to be a part of the NIRSA Assembly. This is no doubt because—as Assembly member Aaron Tripp, Fitness Coordinator at the University of Minnesota—puts it, “being on the Assembly” means stepping up “to a national level of being involved in making this profession better for all the members within NIRSA.”
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; your willingness to serve is greatly appreciated.
Below is the roster for the 2015-2016 Assembly listed by seat. The newly-appointed members will join six returning members from the 2014-2015 Assembly as they continue their service by fulfilling the second year of their term. Open Seats on the Assembly serve a one-year term, and all members are welcome to reapply. There are four members who will continue in an Open Seat on the 2015-2016 Assembly.
Board of Directors Representative, Convener
Don Stenta, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Past Presidents’ Representative
Tamra Garstka, CRSS, Arizona State University
NIRSA Members
Steve Gambino, Ed.D., RCRSP, West Chester University
Adam Pruett, RCRSP, The Claremont Colleges-CMS
Mike Schneider, Centers at Moraine Valley Community College
Michael Giles, Jr., CRSS, Iowa State University
Jami Houston, University of Illinois
Marie VanBuskirk, Oakland University
NIRSA Professional Members Less Than Five Years
Jon Hager, Mount St. Mary’s University
Whitney Hinshaw, Montana State University-Bozeman
Trish Dorman, University of Oregon
Brigitta Putnam, Cornell University
NIRSA Student Members
Tori Allmendinger, Oklahoma State University
Mike Berdowski, Western Michigan University
Amanda Saccone, James Madison University
Open Seats
Mike Chadee, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Thomas Deus, University of Southern Mississippi
Arthur Olague, Texas A&M University- San Antonio
Lindsey Peckinpaugh, Sink Combs Dethlefs
Kim Rottet, CENTERS at Cleveland State University
Melanie Stawkey, Ringling College of Art and Design
Aaron Tripp, University of Minnesota
If you would like to contribute a collegiate recreation topic or idea for the Assembly to discuss, don’t hesitate! You can speak with Assembly members at regional or annual conferences, on the Assembly Discussion Board on NIRSA Connect, or by emailing an Assembly member and starting a conversation!
For more information about the NIRSA Assembly, please contact NIRSA Membership.
