Fall is upon us, which means there is an abundance of NIRSA regional and state sponsored educational opportunities to expand our knowledge base as educators in collegiate recreation. We want to encourage you and your staff members to join us at these great events and to bring as many students and professionals as possible.
Continuing our education and always challenging ourselves to learn and improve is a cornerstone for effective professional development. What better time than now to refocus on your own growth by finding an educational experience close to home this fall?
Region V
The University of Minnesota–Twin Cities welcome colleagues and friends to the Region V Conference and Student Lead On September 27–29 in Minneapolis, MN! Registration is now open.
Region VI
Utah State Workshop will take place September 28–29 in Logan, UT. Free pre-workshop events include Logan Canyon Rock Climbing, First Dam Canoeing, and Mental Health First Aid Certification.
The 2017 NIRSA Region VI Conference themed “Together we are creating waves of innovation” will take place November 1–3 in San Diego, CA. Our conference will feature great preconference programs, a student lead-on, sponsored events, creative educational sessions, and amazing networking opportunities. The venue is the Hyatt Mission Bay, located just 1.2 miles from the beach boardwalk and Belmont Park, making it easy to enjoy all that the city has to offer, including the historic wooden roller coaster “The Big Dipper,” stand-up paddling, and visiting Old Town State Historic Park. Click here for information on how to register, volunteer, or submit a presentation proposal.
Region III
Each fall, Region III hosts several state workshops. This year’s events will take place in October and November.
The Wisconsin State Workshop will kick things off October 4–6 at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The Ohio State Workshop will take place at Miami University from October 11–13. On October 25–27, the Illinois State Workshop will be happening at Illinois State University, followed by the Indiana State Workshop November 1–3 at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. The Region III state conference season will wrap up with the Michigan State Workshop, November 9–10, hosted by Michigan State University.
The Region III Student Lead On will be in Carbondale, Illinois, January 25–27. This event is aimed towards students in Region III but welcomes professionals in the region as well.
Region II
Come join over 500 collegiate recreation professionals and students from throughout the Southeast for the Region II Conference at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, October 15–18. The NIRSA Region II Conference provides attendees the unique opportunity to come together and discuss the best of our program and facility practices and student development efforts while enjoying special events.
Five states will be providing additional networking and learning opportunities this fall by hosting state workshops. Georgia and Kentucky will lead the fall lineup with workshops September 14–15. University of Georgia will host the GRSA workshop, and Morehead State will host the KIRSA workshop. UNCG will welcome NoCRSA State Workshop attendees to the new Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness on September 22. Coastal Carolina University will host the South Carolina State Workshop September 29–30. Rounding out the line-up, James Madison University plays host October 5–6 at their newly expanded and renovated UREC facility for the VRSA State Workshop. Get out and be involved in these awesome networking opportunities!
Region IV
Join your colleagues in Lubbock, TX, for the 2017 NIRSA Region IV Student Lead-On and Conference, October 22–25. With a wide range of preconference activities, educational sessions, a vendor expo, and networking and social opportunities, this year’s conference will certainly be an excellent learning experience for all attendees. Under the tagline “Where vision meets innovation,” the Region IV Conference will prepare students and professionals to excel in their careers in collegiate recreation and beyond.
Canadian Region
Welcome to the Canadian Region’s first year, and thank you for all your support! We are quickly working to grow our network and increase membership within Canada. To help kick things off, there are two exciting events coming up this fall. The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, will be co-hosting the first Canadian Student Lead On event with Fanshawe College on October 26–27. The University of Manitoba will be hosting the NIRSA Canada West Conference on November 2–4. More information can be found on the Canada Connect page.
Region I
Region I is excited to welcome its members to New Haven, CT, this fall for the Region I Conference and Student Lead-On that will be held November 6–8. Preconference sessions will be held on Monday, November 6, and our opening session will begin with dinner that evening. Early bird registration closes on Friday, October 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend sessions, meet vendors at the Expo, and network at socials.
- For more information about any of these regional and local opportunities to learn and connect with your NIRSA family, please contact NIRSA Assistant Director of Membership, Emily Hughes or your regional representative to the NIRSA Member Network.
Andrew (Andy) Lemons, RCRSP, is currently the Director of Campus Recreation at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. He serves on the NIRSA Small Programs Advisory Council and as the Region IV Representative on the Member Network. He can be reached at andyl@stedwards.edu.
