Announcing new members on the three NIRSA boards

As the premier association for campus recreation, NIRSA remains dedicated to providing a sense of belonging and community, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and places and spaces for networking and mentoring while paving the way for the next generation of professionals.

NIRSA is comprised of three entities: the Association, the NIRSA Foundation, and the NIRSA Services Corporation. The Association—the parent organization—is led by the NIRSA Board while the NIRSA Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm and the NIRSA Services Corporation is the innovation and business arm. This unique structure allows three distinct leadership groups to focus on separate but equally important areas that ultimately bring value to NIRSA members and the profession of campus recreation.

All three entities operate under one strategic framework and one set of strategic values. NIRSA consistently aims to foster a culture of respect and collaboration, maintaining a strong commitment to NIRSA’s shared expectations for belonging. The nominating committees apply an intentional, considerate, and transparent approach to recruitment, an approach that will ensure a board that is representative of the community it serves, recognizing that transparency, prudent fiduciary oversight, ethical decision making, and forward-thinking leadership leads to productive and agile governance.

NIRSA Board of Directors

During the February Board meeting, the NIRSA Board appointed James Wilkening, Executive Director, Recreation and Wellness, at the University of Central Florida to serve as the Annual Director for 2025-2026 leadership year.

Jim has been a dedicated NIRSA member since 1994, contributing over 30 years to the campus recreation community. His leadership has significantly impacted various aspects of NIRSA, including his service on numerous committees such as the NIRSA Championship Series, Honor Award, Student Officials Development, and the William N. Wasson Student Leadership and Academic Awards committees, and Strategic Values Commissions, among others. He currently serves as the Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series Tennis Work Team. Jim’s many competencies, his deep understanding of the evolving needs of the campus rec community, and his commitment to remain steadfast in the face of adversity make him an invaluable asset to the NIRSA Board.

“As we continue to move forward in shaping the future of collegiate recreation, it is with great pride and excitement that I welcome Dr. Sheldon Tate, Dr. April Flint, and Mr. Jim Wilkening to the 2025-2026 NIRSA Board of Directors,” says incoming NIRSA Board President, Lashica Thomas, Director of Campus Recreation at Columbus State University. “Their unique perspectives, passion for innovation, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly elevate our work and further solidify our mission to advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellbeing. I look forward to the powerful impact we will make together as we forge ahead in creating dynamic, and transformative spaces for the field of campus recreation to thrive!”

“As we enter the second year of our NIRSA Strategic Plan, we shift our focus from vision to action. The second phase is all about implementation—putting our goals into practice and ensuring that every step we take leads us closer to the transformation we envision for collegiate recreation. With clear action steps in place, this year is dedicated to the hard work of bringing our aspirations to life through collaboration, innovation, and dedication,” Lashica continues. “The time for planning has passed; now is the time for real, measurable change. Together, we will drive progress as we face changes in higher education, and rising challenges as we create an enduring legacy for the development of healthy communities worldwide.”

Jim joins President-Elect Dr. April Flint, Director of Recreation and Wellness at Emory University, and Sheldon Tate, Executive Director of Recreation at George Mason University, as incoming Board members, with their terms beginning May 1.

Returning Board members include André Love, Director of Recreational Sports at Ohio State University; Kevin Martin, Director of Rec Sports at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Lashica Thomas; and Abby Whaley, Senior Associate Director, Facilities and Operations at Purdue University.

NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors

The NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors begins the 2025–2026 leadership year with three new Board members: Laurie Braden, Executive Director of Recreation at Louisiana State University; Andrew Havrisko, Assistant Director, Intramural & Special Events at Rowan University; and Dr. Gregory Reinhardt,  Associate Director, Programs & Assessment at the University of Washington-Seattle. Kevin George, Director of Campus Recreation at Rowan University, will return to the Board for a second term.

Laurie is a Past President of NIRSA and the 2023 recipient of the NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award; she has a life member in NIRSA and has over 36 years of professional experience across institutions both small and large. Her passion is creating spaces and opportunities that create connections and community for all in NIRSA.  Laurie’s long-standing dedication to philanthropy has inspired many to follow her lead. She is one of just 15 individuals to reach Leadership Level status on the NIRSA Foundation Honor Roll. Laurie has tirelessly championed the creation of a welcoming environment at the NIRSA Conference, even establishing the Frederick R. Braden scholarship to help fund registration for students or professional members. Her extensive fundraising experience—ranging from organizing golf tournaments and securing gifts through external partnerships to collaborating with vendors and crafting donor proposals—combined with her years of membership, will be an invaluable asset to the NIRSA Foundation Board.

Andrew, a NIRSA member since 2010 and the proud recipient of the 2024 Horace Moody Award, has demonstrated his dedication and leadership through his service on the NIRSA Foundation Golf Tournament Committee, the Region I Conference Planning Committee, and various NIRSA Championship Series volunteer roles. His ability to foster cooperation and achieve common goals makes him an asset in any team environment. Additionally, his expertise in sponsorship and fundraising aligns with the NIRSA Foundation’s core purpose to support the Association through philanthropy.

Gregory has been a NIRSA member since 2014. As a Horace Moody Award recipient, and Certified Student Affairs Educator (CSAEd) Ambassador, he has demonstrated commitment to and excellence in the field. His service on NIRSA’s Health and Wellbeing Task Force, including the implementation of the Promising Practices series, highlights his commitment to advancing the profession. With a strong working knowledge of member-led Board governance and professional pipelines, he effectively served on UW’s Professional Staff Organization Board, representing over 10,000 professional staff, where he applied his acumen through leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Additionally, his dedication to upward mobility and his efforts to center professional pipelines through retention strategies align perfectly with the needs of the profession.

“The NIRSA Foundation is excited to welcome its newest Board members, to what I expect to be a continuation of high-level giving and growth for NIRSA,” states incoming Foundation Board President, Demond Pryor. “Laurie, Andrew, and Gregory bring a great deal of experience, creativity, and excitement that will surely add to the already talented collective of professionals who are returning to the Board.”

Returning NIRSA Foundation Board members include Drake Belt, Associate Director, Facility and Safety Operations at the University of Arizona; Steve Bobbitt, Visiting Instructor, Sport and Recreation Management at James Madison University; David DeAngelo, Senior Associate Director of Facilities at The Ohio State University; Liz Henry, Associate Director of Recreation & Engagement at UC San Diego; Demond Pryor; Brian Smith, Senior Director Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology; and Seneca Wilson, Director of Recreation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors

The NIRSA Services Corporation (NSC) Board of Directors begins the 2025–2026 leadership year with two new members: Gary Cahen, Associate Director at the University of Central Florida and Jeremy Lewis, Assistant Director, Campus Recreation at Texas Southern University.

Gary has dedicated 23 years to the campus recreation profession, with over 20 years of service volunteering in the NIRSA Championship Series, particularly in Flag Football and Tennis Work Teams. At the University of Central Florida, he manages multi-million-dollar equipment purchases and collaborates with international fitness brands to bring innovative programs to campus. He has also pioneered an adaptive recreation program, introducing Paralympic sports, Unified Sports with Special Olympics, and adaptive facilities for kayaking and rock climbing. His expertise in brand management, collaboration, and procurement will enhance the entrepreneurial efforts of the NSC.

Jeremy is a NIRSA life member, a continuous donor to the NIRSA Foundation, and has proven his commitment to the Association through his extensive volunteer service. In his current role at Texas Southern, Jeremy oversees all campus recreation programming and business affairs and has partnered with NSC and Wasserman NextGen for campus activations. His roles on the Champ Series Standards of Competition Committee, NIRSA Championship Series basketball and flag football tournament staff, as well as his experiences serving as a sports official, aligns Jeremy’s background with the NSC’s priority development areas over the next three years.

“The NIRSA Services Corporation is thrilled to welcome Jeremy and Gary as its newest Board members! Jeremy’s leadership at an HBCU and small program brings essential representation to the NSC, while Gary’s dedication to adaptive and inclusive programming reinforces core values of NSC,” says incoming NSC Board President,  Jasmine Holmes, Associate Director, Sports Programs at Syracuse University. “Their expertise in partnerships, business development, and brand management will undoubtedly enhance our Board’s impact and drive meaningful progress!”

Returning NIRSA Services Corporation Board members include Jasmine Holmes; Erik Jaeke, Associate Director of Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; D.J. Preston, Director of Student Rec & Wellness at Radford University; Caitríona Taylor, Executive Director of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance at Boston University; and Chris Wise, Assistant Vice President Health and Well-Being at Virginia Tech.

Please join me in welcoming these incoming and returning NIRSA leaders and extending your appreciation for their volunteer service to the Association!