NIRSA’s evolution and advancement is powered by member expertise and commitment to volunteer service. We strive to build a community whose members have diverse cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. Diversity in leadership positions is an active process that requires continuous commitment.
For several years, both the NIRSA Foundation and NIRSA Services Corporation Boards of Directors—with the support of the parent NIRSA Board of Directors—have sought to diversify the perspectives and experiences represented in their volunteer leadership positions, especially at the Board level. Both Boards put additional effort into developing future leaders through their respective committees, with an emphasis on increasing applicant numbers.
In light of these tremendous efforts, we are pleased to announce the following new appointments!
NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors
- Tim Mertz, Director of Recreational Sports, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017-2020
- Stu Halsall, Associate Vice Chancellor of Athletics and Recreation, University of Denver, 2017-2020
“I am excited to have Stu agree to serve another term on the NSC board. Stu brings a unique perspective to the board. His input during the past three years has been instrumental to our success. The addition of Tim Mertz brings strong strategic thinking from an entrepreneurial perspective to the group. The variety of experiences and perspectives will contribute greatly to the board’s ability to make strategic decisions for the association,” says NIRSA Services Corporation President David Bowles, Executive Director for Recreation & Health Promotion Services at the University of Florida.
David continues his three-year term, and is joined by returning NIRSA Services Corporation Board members has been reappointed to a three-year term, and is joined by returning NIRSA Services Corporation Board members Eric Hawkes, Director of University Recreation at North Carolina State University; Jennifer Speer, Associate Director of Recreation, The University of Texas at Austin; Mark Williams, Director of RecSports at University of Notre Dame; and Stephanie McAlpine, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Texas – Arlington.
NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors
Aligned with the vision for fundraising, and supported by the feasibility study and implementation plan completed in 2015 as well as investment in infrastructure by NIRSA, recruitment efforts for the Foundation Board focused on seeking the skills and competencies that would fulfill the needs of the Foundation. The Foundation also amended its bylaws in 2016 to expand the size of its Board of Directors. “We are excited to add another new position to the Board this year along with filling the normal openings with outstanding individuals that bring a diverse group of skills to the Board.
These additions will allow the Board to work towards meeting our expanding fundraising goals involving scholarship, research, leadership and the officials development campaign,” says NIRSA Foundation Board President Eric Stein, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Physical Education, Recreation and Wellness at Stanford University.
- Janice DeMonsi, Director of Recreation at Santa Clara University, 2017-2020
- Caroline Dotts, Associate Director- Healthy Lifestyle Programs at Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017-2020
- Suzi Smith, Director of Recreation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2017-2020
- Tom Kirch, retired Director of Recreation from Oregon State University, 2017-2018
Returning Board members include Deb Johnson, Director of Campus Recreation at University of California-Davis; Chris Muller, Associate Director of Recreation at The University of Texas at Arlington; Lexi Chaput, Assistant Director, Club Sports at University of Michigan; Mick McComber, Director of Recreation at University of Minnesota – Duluth; and Greg Jordan, Director of Campus Recreation at Oakland University.
We welcome all of these NIRSA leaders to their new roles and thank them for their commitment to serving the Association!
- For more information about the NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors, please contact NIRSA Assistant to the Executive Director Rebecca Reeves. For more information about the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors, please contact NIRSA Foundation Coordinator Breeana Myatt.
Pam Watts is Executive Director of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon. Pam is a Certified Association Executive and she can be reached at Pam.Watts@nirsa.org
