The Wellbeing Briefing Group recently reached out to a few presenters at this year’s NIRSA Annual Conference to find out more about what is on the mind of recreation professionals when it comes to wellbeing work on their campus.
We have highlighted just a few of the presentations you will see this year in Phoenix. While this is not an exhaustive list, we hope that it motivates you to seek out these opportunities to learn more about this evolving conversation. Not heading to Phoenix? We encourage you to preview these sessions to dive further into the language of wellbeing and foster a deeper understanding of how you can impact this work on your own campus.
Highlight 1: Speaking the Language of Wellbeing
Have you ever hesitated when entering the wellbeing conversation because you don’t feel like you can speak the lingo? Presented by Gregory Reinhardt, University of Washington, Marti Tomlin, University of Richmond, and Kevin George, Rowan University, this session will discuss and define terminology and concepts used in wellbeing conversations within and beyond the Recreation circles across campus. At the end of this session, attendees will feel more confident in supporting wellbeing conversations that can impact your campus.
Highlight 2 : Decolonizing the Dimensions of Wellness
Break free from the constraints of seeking perfect balance and focus on the interconnectivity of self and the natural world. Presented by Condor, Manager at the Oasis Wellness Center at California State University Northridge and Victoria Lopez-Herrera, Senior Associate Director at the University of Texas at San Antonio will free participants from the constraints of seeking a perfectly balanced circle and focus on the interconnectivity of all aspects of one’s being, including the connection with the natural world. Participants will measure the over and under-energized dimensions of wellness/wellbeing through the lens of circular connection and energy. Exploring the circle of knowledge of self and the power one has over one’s life will allow participants to uncover their own medicine through accepting imperfection and moving energies to areas that best support their personalized journey.
Highlight 3: Why don’t they teach that in school? Life skill primer and resources.
Campus recreation staff are regularly asked questions by students, student staff, and other professionals about time management, coping skills, money management, health care, nutrition, sleep, and more. It is surprising that knowledge we need for everyday functioning is not taught in the classroom. During this session—presented by Elyssa Stein, Arizona State University, Eric Stein, Stanford University, Jacqueline Hamilton, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Faculty at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi—attendees will revisit these basic skills to help students thrive. The idea for this session came from one of the presenters in healthcare administration, who identified a lack of information for these necessary life skills.
Highlight 4: The Raw Truth: What Students in Campus Recreation Are Combating and Why Departments Need to Prioritize Mental Health
Kayla Irlbeck, Coordinator, Intramural Sports at Sacramento State and Hannah Williams, Coordinator of Intramurals and Clubs at Emory University are investigating the state of student staff mental health in campus recreation and how their roles in campus recreation affect their mental health. A brief survey is being conducted and results will be presented at the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference. Please help with this project by filling out the survey if you are currently a student, or by spreading the word if you are a professional!
Thank you in advance for your help! If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please contact the presenters at r1sl@nirsaleaders.org and r6sl@nirsaleaders.org.
Mainstage Speaker Highlights
“Facing Adversity with Boston Strong Resilience”
Adrianne Haslet is an exemplar of resilience, a world-renowned professional ballroom dancer at the peak of her career who was spectating the Boston Marathon when terror struck. Adrianne lost her left leg on impact, along with all hope of dancing again. Yet she pulled from the strength of the city of Boston to not only dance but finish in fourth place at the Boston Marathon this year. Adrianne shares the life lessons she had to learn and relearn with unparalleled strength over adversity.
Join Adrianne Haslet as she shares her story in:
- Facing adversity with a renewed perspective
- Finishing the race in every corporate and personal challenge
- Learning to face challenges with a renewed mindset
Participants will identify the importance of work/school/life integration and the impact on their mental health.
“Bringing the Outside-In!”
Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins shares how in our fast-paced, modern lives, it can feel difficult to connect with others—especially in new spaces and environments. However, what’s essential to our growth as professionals is knowing that we are not alone in our journey. In this presentation, attendees will get to explore the profound impact that community has on our mental, emotional, and physical health and discuss how community can be created both at this conference and at each of our campuses.
- For more information, contact events@nirsa.org, or a member of the Wellbeing Briefing Work Group.
The Wellbeing Briefing Work Group works in conjunction with the NIRSA Health & Wellbeing Task Force. The work group is responsible for putting together the Wellbeing Briefing and currently includes Lindsay Brookey (Co-chair), Assistant Director, Fitness at North Carolina State University, Lisa Williamson (Co-chair), Associate Director for Fitness, Well-being & Student Engagement at the University of Georgia, Lauren Arnoff, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Leah Bank, Senior Coordinator, Fitness and Wellness at California State University, Bakersfield, Agnelia “Tiffany” Hernandez, Coordinator of Assessment at Texas Southmost College, Muriel Hyndman, Fitness Coordinator at Iowa State University, Trey Knight, Assistant Director, Student Aquatic Center & Outdoor Pursuits at the University of Knoxville, Jake Minnis, Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness at the University of Arizona, and Kristin Traskie, Interim Associate Director of Health Promotion at Michigan State University.
