Spotlight on NIRSA legacy contributor Judi Bryant

NIRSA’s Legacy Contributors are individuals that the Association has identified who have made a lasting impact on our communities, organizations, and the field of collegiate recreation. They have used their actions, knowledge, resources, and influence to push NIRSA to a place of success.

You will find that NIRSA’s Legacy Contributors wore many hats and my goodness, they wore them so well! One individual who did this exceptionally is Dr. Judith “Judi” Bryant, the second woman to be NIRSA president; she served her presidential year in 1989-1990. Judi’s résumé is one that most professionals could only aspire to reach…she is not only a past president of NIRSA, but she also served in several high-level volunteer positions during her career, a short list includes: Region V Vice-President (1982-1984), Executive Committee member (1982-1989), Development Task Force member (1984-1985), and the Chair of the NIRSA Transition Task Force (1986-1987).

Judi was also an author of several influential publications, such as: Minorities Benefit from Their Association with Campus Recreation Programs (1992); Enhancing Academic Productivity, Student Development, and Employment Potential (1993); A Systematic Approach to Accountability and Improvement (1997); and many more.

Dr. Judith Bryant’s career trajectory is a testament to her dedication to student development and leadership in collegiate recreation. Over the years, she held several prestigious positions, shaping the field with each role. Judi began her career in campus recreation by working as the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports at the University of Washington, before taking on a her first director role at the University of Colorado Boulder. After a few years in NIRSA’s Regions V and VI, she moved to the other corner of the country in NIRSA’s Region II and taking on director roles at the University of Tennessee and Georgia State University. She finished her career with roles in Student Affairs at North Georgia College and State University (now known as the University of North Georgia) and at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Her experience in these roles gave her a deep understanding of the needs of students and the importance of quality recreational programming, which she shared generously with her NIRSA colleagues.

When Judi served as Chair of the NIRSA Transition Task Force, she guided the search for a fulltime Executive Secretary for NIRSA and shaping a significant chapter in our Association’s history. She was a faculty member for the first two years that the NIRSA School was offered in 1989-1990 and played an instrumental role in the Association’s development and rollout of an assessment tool. Judi supported Juliette Moore’s efforts to host the first People of Color Social, during the 1990 NIRSA Conference. But perhaps her most enduring legacy is her role in establishing the Natural High Program and inspiring drug and alcohol prevention.

On top of the many impressive hats that Judi wore on campus and across the Association, she was often also recognized by her peers for her many contributions in the form of various awards. You may not believe it, but Judi was decorated with three NIRSA Annual Service Awards during her career. In 1986, Judi earned the award for the first time for her outstanding leadership and service to the Association as Chair of the Transition Task Force Committee. In 1993, she earned the award again, this time for her exceptional leadership and service to the Association in researching and developing the US Department of Education grant application to provide an activity-oriented program for drug and alcohol prevention. In 2002, she completed the trifecta, earning the award for her outstanding service to the Association as a member of the 2000-2001 Natural High Task Force.

In addition to all those NIRSA Annual Service Awards, Judi was named the recipient of the NIRSA Honor Award in 1994, 20 years after first joining NIRSA. NIRSA’s Honor Award is the highest accolade conferred by our Association. It recognizes a member for outstanding achievements in the profession and exemplary service to the Association. Way to go, Judi!

It is always inspiring to learn and share about these individuals who have dedicated so much time, energy, and effort to advancing the field we all love so much. And for those many amazing accomplishments, Judi will always be identified as one of NIRSA’s Legacy Contributors!

Who are the Top 10 humans of your NIRSA history?

The History and Legacy Committee is hoping to amplify diverse perspectives as they work to honor the individuals and milestones that have made a positive impact on your NIRSA experiences.

Take a few minutes this week to list up to 10 individuals, from your perspective, who have had the most significant impact on NIRSA, on the profession of campus recreation, and on your NIRSA experience. Don’t worry about listing them in any particular order.