In her fifth and final episode of the Hidden talents in NIRSA series, NIRSA President Dr. Wendy Windsor connects with four leading professionals who are working at distinctive HBCUs: Jessica Allen, Assistant Director of Facilities and Operation at Texas Southern University, Gerald “Jerry” Davis, Ed.D, Wellness, Fitness Director and Band Announcer at Tennessee State University, Jordan Hicks, Interim Director at Winston Salem State University, and Yolanda Thomas, Aquatics & Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University share with President Windsor some of their hidden talents and their experiences working at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Meet Wendy’s guests
Jessica’s journey into campus recreation and wellbeing began in the fall of 2009 when she served as president of the women’s club basketball team at Texas Southern University, where she says that her leadership with the team opened the door for her to apply to work in campus recreation in 2010. “Once I began working in campus rec, I was instantly pulled-in and sought out every leadership role I could get to gain experience,” Jessica says. Today, Jessica continues to work in campus recreation “to make an impact on the students I serve” and because “working in campus recreation has been impactful on my professional and personal development.”
Jerry was initially studying criminal justice as an undergraduate student; but he changed his major to human performance and sports sciences and fell in love with the major. Jerry now works at Tennessee State University, where he is the Wellness, Fitness Director and Band Announcer: “I am drawn to campus recreation because I have a genuine true passion for promoting health and wellness among college students, especially at my HBCU and in the greater Nashville community,” says Jerry.
Jordan had a strength and conditioning internship as an undergraduate student at Winston Salem State University. After graduating, he held positions at the YWCA in Winston Salem and at a local hospital, but he kept in contact with his supervisor from when he was a student personal trainer at Winston Salem State. “When she got promoted to director,” Jordan says, “she encouraged me to apply for a vacant position,” which he took before moving into his current role as Interim Director. While Jordan says he was partly motivated to work in campus recreation so that he could have an opportunity to be active in his job, he continues to work in campus rec because “because I love introducing the career opportunity to students that didn’t know much about the career,” he says.
Yolanda came to campus recreation by transitioning from a high school coaching position working with the varsity swimming team, before coming into the Aquatics Coordinator position at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). While her experiences with intramurals as an undergraduate student sparked an interest in returning to campus recreation, “seeing the opportunity to develop an aquatics program for students at PVAMU—where no such program existed during my undergraduate years—motivated me to pursue campus recreation as career path,” Yolanda says. She currently works to create awareness and provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the greater campus community to engage in swimming and aquatic activities. “Working in campus rec is rewarding for me because I am passionate about promoting health and wellness, physical fitness, mental wellbeing, body positivity, and overall health among students, faculty, and our community,” Yolanda adds.
Hidden talents in NIRSA
These four distinguished professionals are passionate about their work in campus recreation, and Wendy does a great job of connecting with her guests to share their insights and perspectives about working at HBCU institutions. The genuine connection and sense of belonging that they foster on campus really highlights the richness of the HBCU experience. They cover ground ranging from the successes they’ve been a part of to the obstacles and barriers they face in pursuit of delivering meaningful programs and experiences for students.
Some NIRSA members may be familiar about NIRSA’s HBCU roots; but with many members being a part of the Association for less than a handful of years, some may not yet know that NIRSA’s roots are deeply connected to the rich heritage of HBCU institutions.
Wendy’s four guests also share ideas about how NIRSA can better connect with HBCU professionals and acknowledge the richness of HBCUs.
Fearless vulnerability
With campus recreation, student affairs, and higher education all rapidly changing, fearless vulnerability is a technique that leaders in campus recreation can employ to continue progressing and advancing in the field. Fearless vulnerability describes a mindset of not allowing fear, embarrassment, or shame hold you back from achieving your goals. Spend a few minutes this month with Jessica, Jerry, Jordan, Yolanda and Dr. Wendy Windsor to hear more about their stories, and to find out what inspires them to be authentic and bold leaders in our profession.
- For more information, contact NIRSA President Wendy Windsor .
