2018 NIRSA Directors Institute
Presented by PLAE
June 25-27, 2018 • Tucson, Arizona
This event is now over. Please contact NIRSA Professional Development if you need any information regarding this event.
Thank You
2018 Directors Institute Sponsors
Topic Areas
Relevance
Wellness
Equity, Diversity,
& Inclusion
Assessment
& Research
Leadership
Overall Learning Objectives
Participants will work collaboratively with other attendees to identify and solve problems (case studies) related to current challenges in collegiate recreation.
Participants will identify strategies and develop plans of action to more effectively lead and manage staff, communicate the relevance of collegiate recreation, and improve inclusiveness.
Registration is closed!
This event will be capped at 60 registered attendees.
Attendee Registration Options |
Registration closes on May 31 | |
| NIRSA Professional Members | $670 | |
| Professional Nonmembers | $770 | |
Lodging reservation information will be shared with registered attendees through their event confirmation email.
Are you interested in sponsoring?
Content Team
David Bowles, CRSS
Senior Director for Recreation and Health Promotion Services
University of Florida
Laurie Braden, RCRSP, CRSS
Executive Director of
University Recreation
Louisiana State University
Senior Director for Recreation and Health Promotion Services - University of Florida
David Bowles
David Bowles is the Senior Director for Recreation and Health Promotion Services at the University of Florida. He oversees the Department of Recreational Sports and GatorWell Health Promotion Services. David opened the Student Recreation & Fitness Center at UF in 1991. He also procured the funding for, participated in designing, and opened UF’s Southwest Recreation Center in 1994. He was involved with the building’s first and second expansions/renovations in 2001 and 2010.
David has served in various roles at the University of Florida. Between 1989 and 2003, he held the following titles: Senior Associate Director, Associate Director, Assistant Director, and Fitness Center Director. He also served as the Director of Recreational Sports from 2003–2015. He has consulted on projects with fellow NIRSA directors at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Pepperdine University, Rutgers University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of West Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and Furman University. Additionally, he served as a consultant for a value engineering firm reviewing design documents for a $130 million project to build fields on 500 acres on Randall’s Island for the City of New York.
David earned a B.S.Ed. in physical education and a M.S.Ed. in sport management from Virginia Tech. He completed graduate work and served as an intramural sports GA at Virginia Tech from 1984–1985. From 1985–1989, David was the Assistant Athletic Director and the Sports Coordinator at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL. David is a graduate of the NIRSA School of Recreational Sports Management and the Executive Institute on Project Management. He has been a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist (CRSS) since 1984 and a NIRSA member since 1983.
He currently serves as President of the NIRSA Services Corporation and was previously elected to serve on the NIRSA Board of Directors as the Region II Vice President (2008–2010).
Executive Director of University Recreation - Louisiana State University
Laurie Braden, RCRSP
Laurie Braden, RCRSP is currently the Executive Director of University Recreation at Louisiana State University. She is responsible for the overall leadership of LSU UREC and leads a team of 40 full-time staff members and 350 student employees. Laurie recently supervised the completion of a four-year expansion project to LSU UREC that saw facility space more than double from 120,000 square feet to 257,000 square feet.
Prior to her tenure at LSU, she was the Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Texas-Brownsville from 2007–2010. While there, she developed a new and growing campus receation department from the ground up. She was prepared for that pioneering experience having previously served as Associate Director of Programs and Facilities at Central Michigan University from 1999–2007. Laurie received her B.S. from the University of Florida in Recreation Administration in 1988 and her M.S. from North Carolina State University in Recreation Resource Administration in 1991. She is a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist and a graduate of the NIRSA School of Recreational Sports Management.
Laurie has been a member of NIRSA for 29 years and previously served as President of the NIRSA Board of Directors in adddition to serving on multiple committees, task forces, and work teams. She has presented on a breadth of topics—including communication, conflict resolution, sexual harrassment, career development, and provision of inclusive services to underserved populations, among others—at local, regional, and national levels. She has been a leading volunteer planner of state, regional, and national conferences.
On each of her campuses, Laurie has been successful by actively fostering relationships with student life, residential life, health services, and athletics. In 2011, she helped endow a scholarship with the NIRSA Foundation to assist in addressing issues of social justice within recreational sports. From 2000–2009 she founded and directed a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raised funds to send girls to summer sports camps.
Laurie has been a recipient of the NIRSA Foundation Will Holsberry Scholarship, the Michael J. Stevenson MIRSA Outstanding Service Award, and multiple NIRSA Annual Service Awards. Outside of her professional life Laurie enjoys running, working out, reading, and playing tennis.
Director of Recreation - UC Davis
Deb Johnson
Deb Johnson, RCRSP, is the Director of Campus Recreation at the University of California, Davis. In her current role, she is responsible for one of the most comprehensive collegiate recreation departments in North America. Her department oversees 13 programs and services, 15 facilities, and employs more than 800 students. Deb has spearheaded an expansion and aquatics facility project for the UC-Davis Activities and Recreation Center, to better meet the needs of a growing campus community. She has also led efforts to rebrand the department and market it as an inclusive environment for a diverse student population, encouraging everyone to “Come as You Are.”
Before moving to California, Deb made a tremendous impact at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She spent more than twelve years early in her career working in student affairs. She worked in a variety of positions during that time, including Assistant Director of Admissions, Academic Advisor, Director of Summer Institute for Promising Scholars, and Founding Coordinator of NU Start. Deb also spent nearly a decade working outside the field of campus recreation and wellness, running a non-profit organization that revitalized the Lincoln community. In 2010, she returned to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as the Associate Director for Development and Communications at Campus Recreation. Before taking on her current role at the University of California, Davis, she was promoted to Senior Associate Director at University of Nebraska–Lincoln and played a key role in the completion of three significant facility projects.
Deb earned her BA in Sociology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, minoring in Business and Speech Communications. Her MS in Leadership Development was also conferred by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Deb has been a NIRSA member and Registry of Collegiate Recreation Sports Professional (RCRSP) since 2010, and her involvement as a volunteer leader with NIRSA has increased steadily over time. She has served on theCollegiate Marketing Institute Program Committee, presented at several NIRSA Annual Conferences, and is President-Elect of the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors, where she also volunteers on numerous committees.
Deb has been recognized for her contributions to students on several occasions, including the esteemed NIRSA Horace Moody Award and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Carl A. Donaldson Award for excellence in management.
Executive Director University Recreation - The University of Alabama
André Love
André Love serves as Executive Director of University Recreation for The University of Alabama. He leads the Department of University Recreation, which is uniquely situated within the Division of Student Life’s Student Health and Wellbeing Team. The team provides collaborative opportunities between the Counseling Center, Collegiate Recovery & Intervention Services, and the Student Health Center and Pharmacy. He also serves as the Student Life Emergency Preparedness Representative.
In 2014, André led efforts to open the 85,000-square-foot Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center, which NIRSA awarded an Outstanding Sports Facilities Award in 2016. Recent construction of University Recreation facilities includes a 30,000 square-foot addition of the Student Recreation Center which will house the Stran-Hardin Arena, a space completely dedicated to wheelchair sports and the Alabama Adapted Athletics program.
André holds a MS in Physical Education from Eastern Michigan University and a BS in Recreation Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has extensive experience in the administration and management of collegiate recreation programs, services, and facilities, and has previously held positions in a variety of recreation roles. André was previously the Coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports for Oakland University, the Associate Director of Fitness and Recreation for Augusta University, and Director of University Recreation Programs for The University of Alabama.
He has been a member of NIRSA since 1995 in Regions II and III, and has served the organization as part of various committees and work teams. André has chaired the NIRSA Student Professional Development Preconference Work Team, served as the inaugural chair of the NCCS Standards of Competition Committee, and was the Michigan Intramural Recreational Sports Association (MIRSA) Associate State Director. He is a recipient of the Dr. Michael J. Stevenson MIRSA Outstanding Service Award. André is a graduate of the University of Alabama Leadership U program and the NIRSA School of Recreational Sports Management.
Attendees may earn NIRSA CEUs to apply toward the Registry of Collegiate Recreation Sports Professional (RCRSP) credential.
Learning Outcomes
Engage in conversations directed at developing critical and reflective perspectives of the ongoing challenges and opportunities in higher education as related to campus recreation.
Understand critical competencies desired of future campus recreation administrators.
Investigate campus recreation’s contribution(s) to the delivery of services that encompass a holistic and integrated approach to student health and wellbeing.
Identify strategies for building and maintaining political capital at your respective institutions.
Invited Speakers
Alex
Accetta, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice President in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Portland State University
Patty
Perillo, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Assistant Professor of Higher Education
Virginia Tech
Allison
M. Vaillancourt, Ph.D.
Vice President
of Business Affairs
& Human Resources
University of Arizona
Assistant Vice President in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs - Portland State University
Alex Accetta, Ed.D.
Alex Accetta serves as an Assistant Vice President in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Portland State University where his portfolio includes Campus Recreation, the Student Union, the Viking Pavilion Regional Event Center, Conference and Events, and retail services. Alex also serves on a number of university-wide committees including the Capital Advisory Committee, Healthy Campus Initiative, and Title IX Athletic Compliance Committee. He recently engaged in university-wide contract negotiations for food service, pouring rights, and ticketing.
Before becoming the Assistant Vice President, Alex had a broad range of higher education experience including policy analysis, law school admissions, NCAA coaching, student activities, student union management, and over 12 years as a Director of Campus Recreation where he played the lead role in the creation of Portland State’s campus recreation department and construction of their student recreation center. Alex has served NIRSA in numerous roles including as a member of the Board of Directors, the convener of the NIRSA Strategic Values Steering Committee, faculty for the School of Collegiate Recreation, William Wasson Selection Chair, and as an esteemed member of the T-Shirt Competition Selection Committee. He was awarded the Region VI Award of Merit in 2014.
Alex received both his B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Education from Stanford University. In 2017 he received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Portland State where his dissertation focused on students’ development of their global-self through participation in collegiate recreation sports.
Vice President For Student Life - University of Oregon
Dr. R. Kevin Marbury, Ph.D.
Dr. R. Kevin Marbury joined the University of Oregon’s Division of Student Life in 2012, was appointed interim vice president for student life in 2016, and vice president for student life in 2017. Previously, he served as the UO’s director of physical education and recreation and has an extensive background in student affairs with a focus on wellness. Marbury previously served as vice president for student affairs at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida in 1993. He received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of North Texas in 1992, where he also served as an adjunct professor of kinesiology, health promotion, and recreation.
Chief Wellness Officer - Oklahoma State University
D. Todd Misener, Ph.D., CHES,
Began his role as Chief Wellness Officer at Oklahoma State University in August 2016. Prior to arriving at OSU, he worked at Western Kentucky University for over 18 years, serving in multiple roles including Assistant Director of Health & Fitness; Chair of the employee wellness program and Director of the Student Wellness program.
Earned a Bachelors’ of Science in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan, Master’s in Public Health from Western Kentucky University, and Ph.D. in Health Promotion from the University of Louisville. He is a member of the American College Health Associations research committee and served on the National Intramural and Recreational Association’s research and assessment committee for 4 years, 2 of which as the Chair. Has presented at several national conferences including ones hosted by the American Public Health Association, American College Health Association, and National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, on topics ranging from research and assessment methods to health and wellness promotion strategies on college campuses. Research interests include employee wellness outcome assessment, stress and resilience, college student engagement and success, and the role that various health behaviors play in the success of college students and employees.
Vice President for Student Affairs, Assistant Professor of Higher Education - Virginia Tech
Patty Perillo, Ph.D.
As a renowned scholar-practitioner for 30 years, Dr. Patty Perillo provides leadership for 25 departments, and over 3600 faculty and staff, in the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech. She manages a budget of over $160 million and is responsible for 30% of the campus physical capital. She is committed to ensuring transformative learning experiences for students, as well as for faculty and staff. She is an assistant professor in the higher education program at Virginia Tech, past president of ACPA–College Student Educators International, and is certified as an executive/life coach. She’s worked at six other institutions for higher learning and obtained her doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware.
Vice President of Business Affairs & Human Resources - University of Arizona
Allison M. Vaillancourt, Ph.D.
Allison M. Vaillancourt, Ph.D., serves as Vice President of Business Affairs & Human Resources at the University of Arizona where she also holds faculty appointments in the UA School of Government and Public Policy and the Honors College. She serves as co-chair of the University’s Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee and her portfolio includes Arizona Public Media, the Division of Human Resources, Institutional Equity, Risk Management Services, and the Occupational Health Office. Under her guidance, the University of Arizona has been nationally recognized for building a community of leaders, creating an inclusive organizational culture, offering award-winning work/life programs, and guiding significant organizational change initiatives.
Allison writes about career and organizational culture issues as a regular Chronicle of Higher Education columnist and she regularly speaks on leadership-related topics for national audiences.
She received a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Denver’s School of Public Affairs. She is also an International Coaching Federation certified executive coach. She began her career as a journalist and fundraiser before joining higher education.
Schedule of Events
The schedule is subject to modification.
Monday, June 25
Attendee Event Check-in
Ventana Dining room
3:00pm-6:00pm
Welcome Reception – sponsored by Woodway
Cascade Terrace
6:00pm
Tuesday, June 26
Breakfast – sponsored by LPA, Inc.
Ventana Dining Room
8:00am-8:45am
Event Program
9:00am-10:00am
Ventana Dining Room
Evening Dinner
7:00pm-9:00pm
Wednesday, June 27
Breakfast
Event Program
~9:00am-4:00pm
(break for lunch on your own)
Independent Networking
Hotel Information
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort • Tucson, Arizona
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N Resort Dr,
Tucson, Arizona 85750
tel: 520-299-2020
The Inaugural 2018 NIRSA Directors Institute will be held at the beautiful Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, Arizona.
The rates for the NIRSA Directors Institute will be $130/night for single/double occupancy and will apply three 3 days prior and three 3 days after the Institute (based on availability). A link for reservations will be shared with registered attendees.
This special NIRSA rate includes:
- self or valet parking
- access to the Lakeside Fitness Center
- discounted golf fees
- internet access
Testimonials
What graduates from the 2014 NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation Level II (2014) had to say about their School experience.
The School was a great experience- probably the best professional development training I have participated in as a full-time professional. There are so many beneficial takeaways that I want to apply in my facility, and the networking opportunities were truly priceless
Level II was a great way to interact with a small group of colleagues from across the country in a very intentional way. It’s not often that you get to spend that much time with other NIRSA people that you didn’t previously know – some great bonds form from that type of interaction. If you are ready to come and think and be engaged, Level II can provide that! It is definitely a “school” atmosphere and lots of learning is involved!
The School provided an opportunity to network with other professionals in a setting that cannot be matched by any other NIRSA event. Spending 5 days with the same 50 people allows for a deeper relationship to develop. The faculty were so helpful and inspirational and I hope to serve as a faculty one day.
Level II re-energized me. The school, the faculty, my team…everyone…reminded me of why I chose this profession and why I love it so much.
With over 15 years in campus recreation, I am relatively new to NIRSA (< 4 years). The opportunity to learn from knowledgeable faculty and colleagues was valuable experience. The content and context was very applicable and relevant to my current position and career direction: encompassing and broad from a department leadership perspective.
About NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation Events
The School of Collegiate Recreation is where campus rec pros acquire tools and connections they need to advance their careers. It’s offered as Level I and Level II tiers.
Those who have more experience in the field may attend, but must understand that the sessions are geared to their less-experienced colleagues.
Participants must attend all sessions to receive a certificate of completion. It is not required that you attend Level 1 to be eligible to attend Level II.
Need more information?
Questions about the 2018 NIRSA Directors Institute can be directed to the NIRSA Professional Development Sr. Director, Mary Callender.