NIRSA Region IV Conference

Corpus Christi, TX • October 21-23, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 NIRSA Region IV Conference

Join campus recreation professionals, students, and industry partners from across Region IV for three days of professional development, networking, leadership exploration, and innovative learning experiences on the beautiful Texas Gulf Coast.

This year’s conference theme celebrates leadership, creativity, innovation, and connection while providing opportunities for attendees at every career stage to engage in meaningful conversations and professional growth.

Host Institution: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Pricing

Premier Professional $199
Professional Member (individual or institution) $229
Nonmember $249
Premier Student $114
Student Member $124
Nonmember Student $140

Preconference Activities

Step onto the water and discover a new way to challenge your balance, focus, and confidence. Balance on the Bay is a stand-up paddleboarding experience designed for all skill levels, combining basic paddling techniques with fun balance challenges on the beautiful waters surrounding Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. Whether you’re stepping on a board for the first time or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will test your stability, engage your core, and push you just beyond your comfort zone. Expect a few wobbles, plenty of laughs, and a rewarding experience on the bay. Spots are limited to 8 participants, so register early and see if you have what it takes to stay upright

Spaces Available: 8

Trade the conference room for the shoreline and experience Pilates in a setting that will challenge both body and mind. Sand & Strength combines intentional movement, core-focused exercises, and the natural resistance of the beach to create a workout that is equal parts energizing and empowering. The uneven surface of the sand will test your stability, strengthen supporting muscle groups, and elevate traditional Pilates movements in unexpected ways. Come prepared to move, sweat, and discover new strength while enjoying the coastal scenery of the Islander campus. With only 15 spots available, this session offers a unique opportunity to recharge, refocus, and build strength before the conference begins

Spaces Available: 15

Go beyond the conference sessions and explore the spaces that help shape the Islander experience. Islander Insights offers a guided tour of two cornerstone facilities at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi: the 67,000-square-foot Dugan Wellness Center and the University Center, the hub of campus life. Discover how the Dugan Wellness Center supports student wellbeing through innovative recreation, fitness, and wellness spaces designed to foster engagement and belonging. Then, explore the University Center, a dynamic multi-use facility that serves as the heart of the campus community, connecting students and employees through essential services, gathering spaces, and opportunities for involvement. Throughout the tour, you’ll gain insight into facility design, operational strategies, programming philosophies, and the ways these spaces contribute to student success and campus culture. Whether you’re looking for ideas to bring back to your institution or simply enjoy seeing how other campuses create impactful experiences, this tour offers inspiration around every corner

Schedule

Activity	Time Block	Details	Presenters
Registration	noon – 5:00pm
Pre-Conference Experiences	2:00pm – 2:45pm	Balance on the Bay
	2:00pm – 2:45pm	Sand & Strength
	3:15pm – 4:15pm	Islander Insight
Opening General Session	5:00pm – 6:30pm	Keynote Speaker	Dr. Dexter Shorter
Welcome Reception & Dinner	6:30pm – 8:00pm

Activity	Time Block	Details	Presenters
Education Session Block 1	9:00am – 9:50am	Fuel: Leadership in Action Series – Vulnerability and Leadership	Andy Lemons & Chris McAlpine
		Student Track: NIRSA 101	Johanna Valencia & Cy Fondal
		From Workarounds to Workflows: Building a Low-Code Operating System for Campus Recreation	Andrew Chadick
		Development through Delegation: Empowering Student Employees while Strengthening Your Organization	Alyssa Moncrief Cobb
Functional Area Roundtables	10:00am – 10:50am	Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
		Sport Programs Roundtable
		Fitness Roundtable
		Facilities Roundtable
		Business, Marketing & IT Roundtable
Education Session Block 2	11:00am – 11:50am	Fuel: Leadership in Action Series – Grit	Eric Maki & Natosha Harris
		SWITCH Partner Presentation	Eric Vaughn
		Student Track: Mock Interviews	Nathan Campbell & Anita Michlitsch
		From Compliance to High-Impact Practice	Esther Gagawala, Nate Skidmore & Paul Chu
Lunch	12:00pm – 1:00pm
Vendor Expo	12:45pm – 2:15pm	Meet with conference partners, discover new products and services, and build relationships with industry leaders.
Career Level Roundtables	2:30pm – 3:20pm	Associate Director/Director Roundtable
		Student & Graduate Assistant Roundtable
		Coordinator Roundtable
		Assistant Director/Manager Roundtable
		Departmental Executive Leader Roundtable
Education Session Block 3	3:30pm – 4:20pm	Fuel: Leadership in Action Series – Creativity	Ken Morton
		Grading the Whole Employee	Steven Knecht & KJ O’Neal
		Borrowing from Behavior Analysis	Dason Tucker
		But We’ve Always Done It This Way	Gabriella Perez
		Student Track: The Unfinished Conversation with No Easy Answers	Regan Shaffer
Decision Makers Social	4:30pm – 6:00pm	Sponsored by EGYM
Networking Reception	4:30pm – 5:00pm
Facilitated Discussion	5:00pm – 6:00pm
Student Lead-On Social	4:30pm – 6:00pm	An opportunity for students and graduate assistants to connect with peers and professionals.
All-Conference Social	7:00pm – 10:30pm	Brewster Street Ice House – Island
		15241 Leeward Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418
		Food, networking, entertainment, and fun with recreation professionals from throughout Region IV.

Activity	Time Block	Details	Presenters
Education Session Block 4	9:00am – 9:50am	Fuel: Leadership in Action Series – Navigating Change	Bonnie Hainline & Sheldon Tate
		Ask Me Anything: A Candid Conversation About Campus Recreation	Andy Lemons
		Fact, Fiction and FUNction	Irma Nieves-Torres
		Student Track: Build the Hype	Nathan Campbell
Education Session Block 5	10:00am – 10:50am	Fuel: Leadership in Action Series – Relationships	Jason Vlastaras & Troy Vaughn
		More Than Play: Leveraging Campus Recreation to Improve Student Persistence	Adebamike Adekunle & Zieanya Batiste
		Reset Before You React: Practical Wellness Tools for the Workplace	Gabriella Perez
		Student Track: Level Up Your Skills: Emotional Intelligence for Student Staff Success	Fay Kennan

Meet Your FUEL: Leadership in Action Speakers

Fuel: Leadership in Action is an engaging and dynamic leadership development experience designed to bring key leadership principles to life. This year’s program features five focused presentations that explore essential leadership characteristics and how they can be applied at every level of leadership.

A team of 10 presenters will guide participants through the core concepts of Creativity, Vulnerability, Relationship Building, Grit, and Change, offering practical insights and real-world applications. Each session is designed to help participants better understand how these qualities shape effective leadership and how they can be intentionally developed.

The experience will culminate in an interactive 60–90 minute workshop, where participants will connect these themes, reflect on their own leadership journeys, and leave with actionable strategies to strengthen their impact.

Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, Fuel: Leadership in Action provides the tools and inspiration to lead with purpose and confidence.

Jennifer Speer
Univeristy of Texas at Austin

Eric Maki
Texas Tech University

Jason Vlastaras
Texas State University

Troy Vaughn
University of Arizona

Sheldon Tate
George Mason University

Ken Morton
SFA University

Chris “CMac” McAlpine
University of Texas Dallas

Andy Lemons
University of Texas at Austin

Bonnie Hainline
Southern Methodist University

Natosha Harris
NCAA Officials/ Consultant

New This Year:
Audience-Focused Content

We are excited to introduce a new approach to educational programming at the Region IV Conference. To enhance the attendee experience and provide more meaningful learning opportunities, we are encouraging presenters to develop sessions with a specific audience in mind.

As you prepare your proposal, please be intentional about who will benefit most from your presentation. Consider targeting a particular functional area and/or professional level, such as students, early-career professionals, middle managers, or departmental leaders. While all conference attendees are welcome to attend any session, identifying a primary audience will help participants select experiences that best align with their interests, roles, and professional development goals.

We look forward to receiving submissions that are engaging, relevant, and thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of our diverse Region IV community. Your expertise and insights help create a stronger learning environment for all attendees.

Hotel & Travel

Residence Inn by Marriott Corpus Christi Downtown

309 S. Shoreline Blvd • Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, 78401

Book at the group rate by 9/20