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 encompasses four distinct entities: the Association, the NIRSA Foundation, the NIRSA Services Corporation, and the new NIRSA Sports Network. The Association, the parent organization, is led by the NIRSA Board of Directors. The NIRSA Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm, supporting the future of collegiate recreation. The NIRSA Services Corporation is a for-profit arm, supporting NIRSA through innovation and business. And the new NIRSA Sports Network operates soccer and flag football leagues for collegiate club athletes. This structure allows four distinct leadership groups to focus on separate but critical areas that deliver value to NIRSA members and the profession of campus recreation.
All four entities operate under one strategic framework and one shared set of strategic values. Transparency, prudent fiduciary oversight, ethical decision making, and forward-thinking leadership foster productive and agile governance. The nominations committees apply an intentional and transparent approach to recruitment for board positions to ensure boards are qualified and representative of the communities they serve.
Appointments to the NIRSA Board of Directors
During the February Board meeting, the NIRSA Board appointed Dr. Chris Denison, Director, Recreation Services, at the University of Northern Iowa and Silvia Chan, Senior Associate Director, Student Employment & Development of University of Connecticut, to serve as Annual Directors for 2026-2027.
Chris has been a dedicated NIRSA member since 1997, contributing for almost 30 years to NIRSA’s campus recreation community. His leadership has significantly impacted various aspects of NIRSA, including his service on numerous committees such Nominations & Appointments, Region V Representative on the NIRSA Member Network, Chair of the Aquatics Committee, and the Chair of the NIRSA Member Network.
Through his combination of institutional leadership, association-wide professional involvement, and commitment to advancing collegiate recreation, Chris brings valuable operational insight, governance experience, and member-focused perspective that will support the ongoing progress of the Association’s strategic priorities.
Silvia has also been a NIRSA member since 1997, and this will be her second consecutive year serving as an Annual Director on the NIRSA Board. In the 2025-2026 leadership year, the NIRSA Board appointed Silvia to serve as Annual Director in charge of leading implementation of NIRSA’s Bias Prevention & Response Protocol. Silvia’s leadership continues to be critical as protocol implementation moves into its next phase. To support continuity and preserve leadership momentum in this work, the Board reappointed Silvia for another term of service.
Silvia has also generously shared her time and talents in support of the History & Legacy Committee, Conference Program Committee, Honor Award Committee, and Foundation Scholarships Committee just to name a few.
Silvia has demonstrated steady and impactful leadership during her current service as Annual Director. Her contributions to advancing Board priorities — particularly her thoughtful and intentional work surrounding the implementation of the bias protocol — have strengthened governance practices and reinforced the Association’s commitment to equity, accountability, and member trust.
Chris and Silvia join President-Elect Scott Flickinger, Director of Campus Rec at SUNY Cortland, and At-Large Director Marcus Jackson, Director of Campus Rec at Michigan State University, as incoming Board members, with the new term beginning May 1.
Returning Board members include Dr. April Flint, Director of Rec and Wellness at Emory University; André Love, Director of Recreational Sports at Ohio State University; Sheldon Tate, Executive Director of Recreation at George Mason University; 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 2026–2027 leadership year with two new Board members:Katherine ‘Katie’ Geter, Assistant Director of Competitive Sports at Georgia State University and Linda Knight, Executive Director, Health & Wellness at William and Mary.
Katie comes to the Foundation with over ten years of campus rec experience and NIRSA involvement, with prior service as an Annual Director for the NIRSA Board of Directors. Her day-to-day role at Georgia State involves the heavy lifting of program management and fiscal operations—exactly the kind of “boots on the ground” financial and risk-mitigation expertise the NIRSA Foundation Board was looking to bolster this year.
Over the last decade, Katie has built a reputation for intentional leadership, whether she’s supervising staff, navigating complex budgets, or building partnerships that support student success. Having been the recipient of two NIRSA Foundation scholarships during her career, Katie has developed a deep-rooted commitment to giving back through stewardship, advocacy, and mentorship; she’s a perfect fit for helping the Foundation Board advance the NIRSA Foundation’s mission.
The NIRSA Foundation is thrilled to welcome back to its Board Linda Knight; she will serve a one-year term. Linda previously served on the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022. With over 40 years of leadership in higher education, Linda is a master connector and mentor who understands that the heart of philanthropy lies in wide-reaching engagement. She doesn’t just advocate for giving; she leads by example as a longtime donor herself, consistently supporting both individual endowments and the Mission Advancement Fund.
Linda’s reach extends well beyond campus recreation; through her current service on the Hazing Prevention Network Board and as Chair of her local Parks & Recreation advisory committee, she lives out the true meaning of stewardship and service every day. She brings a thoughtful approach to innovation, is willing to challenge assumptions and pilot new ideas to ensure the NIRSA Foundation evolves alongside the people it serves.
“The NIRSA Foundation is excited to welcome its newest Board members as we enter a purposeful and necessary new phase in the NIRSA Foundation’s history, defined by impactful change, bold strategic intent, and a renewed commitment to service, stewardship, and growth,” states incoming Foundation Board President, Liz Henry.
“Katie and Linda each bring a distinctive set of strengths that will meaningfully enhance the Board’s impact. Katie’s leadership style, intentional questions, fresh voice, and purpose-driven decision-making will strengthen the Board’s momentum and position her to help expand our philanthropic reach. Linda contributes a wealth of association and NIRSA Foundation experiences and insights, a forward-thinking perspective, and a strong commitment to mentorship and stewardship—qualities that will strengthen our long-term sustainability and deepen our relationships across the association. Together, their experience, advocacy, and genuine enthusiasm will complement the already talented group of returning Board members and further elevate the NIRSA Foundation’s mission,” adds Liz.
Returning NIRSA Foundation Board members include Drake Belt, Associate Director, Facility and Safety Operations at the University of Arizona; Laurie Braden, Executive Director of Recreation at Louisiana State University and 2026 NIRSA Honor Award recipient; David DeAngelo, Senior Associate Director of Facilities at The Ohio State University; Andrew Havrisko, Assistant Director, Intramural & Special Events at Rowan University; Liz Henry, Associate Director of Recreation & Engagement at UC San Diego; Demond Pryor, Associate Director of Facilities at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Dr. Gregory Reinhardt, Associate Director, Programs & Assessment at the University of Washington-Seattle; and Brian Smith, Senior Director Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors
The NIRSA Services Corporation (NSC) Board of Directors begins the 2026–2027 leadership year with three new members: Clint Jones, Director of Recreation and Wellness at St. Edward’s University; Sadat Khan, Recreation & Wellness Program Strategist at Kahler Slater, Inc.; and Kathleen ‘Kat’ Langley, Assistant Director Personal & Specialized Training at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Clint brings over 19 years of professional and volunteer experience to the NSC Board, having spent many years “in the middle of the action” with the Champ Series. From hosting Flag Football Championships to serving as Chair of the Champ Series Standards Committee, these roles gave him a unique “behind the curtain” look at the organization’s structure and ultimately inspired him to apply for a seat on the NSC Board.
At St. Edward’s University, Clint serves on the Division of Student Affairs and Administration Leadership Team. Coming from a smaller campus, he knows his role is a hybrid one of a project manager with a side of strategic fundraising acumen. He has proven himself to be forward-thinking, notably launching the LiveWellSEU initiative to move campus recreation toward a holistic, 8-dimensional approach to wellbeing. Whether he’s pivoting to “Fitness on Demand” to stabilize student offerings or partnering with University Advancement to engage Club Sports alumni for major gifts, Clint brings the kind of resourceful, high-level perspective that small-school leadership excels in providing.
Sadat joins the NSC Board with almost 20 years of experience in the profession. During his time as Director of Facilities & Operations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he managed the kind of massive, multimillion-dollar budgets and 50-person teams that keep a department of that magnitude running. Since moving into his current role as a Strategist at Kahler Slater, he’s focused on business development and building national relationships within the NIRSA community.
Sadat believes in the technical side of innovation—think auto-frosting windows and adaptable spaces—but he’s just as comfortable navigating the construction of a $140 million community project in Milwaukee. He’s the kind of leader who uses hard data to make sure new ideas lead to better access and long-term sustainability. Sadat’s superpower is the ability to be incredibly resourceful, ensuring that even the most complex business operations stay focused on the evolving needs of the communities they serve, a perspective that will be invaluable as the NSC Board works towards scaling new revenue streams.
Kat may not have accrued decades in the profession…yet, but that hasn’t stopped her from making a huge impact across NIRSA. She has been the lead for NIRSA’s HBCU Coalition for three years and is a vocal advocate for the professional pipeline, having served on the Early Career Advisory Group to help mentor the next generation. At the 2026 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference, Kat was awarded the inaugural Emerging Leader Award.
Kat brings a unique “business-meets-recreation” perspective through her own company, Kathletics LLC, where she manages everything from product creation to marketing. She’s been able to translate that entrepreneurial success back to campus by building strategic plans and managing $250,000+ budgets for fitness and wellness programs. Whether she’s launching specialized, women-focused strength initiatives or navigating large-scale corporate sponsorships, Kat is renowned for her ability to spot a gap in the market and scale a program to fill it. Her ability to balance the mission of a university with the practical need for revenue and innovation will be a major asset to the NSC Board of Directors as members continue to develop NIRSA’s entrepreneurial opportunities.
Returning NIRSA Services Corporation Board members include Gary Cahen, Associate Director at the University of Central Florida; Erik Jaeke, Associate Director of Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jeremy Lewis, Assistant Director, Campus Recreation at Texas Southern University; and Chris Wise, Assistant Vice President Health and Well-Being at Virginia Tech.
NIRSA Sports Network Board of Directors
Established in 2025 as new not-for-profit arm of the Association, the NIRSA Sports Network (NSN) was initially formed to operate a growing lineup of collegiate club soccer leagues, with an eye to expanding to other sport leagues. With support from NFL Flag, the NIRSA Sports Network will be expanding in 2026 to offer women’s club flag football leagues and tournaments.
In 2025, the NIRSA Board endorsed three inaugural board members – Erik Jaeke, Associate Director of Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Caitríona Taylor, Executive Director of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance at Boston University; and Maxwell Miller, Assistant Athletic Director of Recreation & Wellness at Swarthmore College.
The maidenNSN Board will return for a second one-year term. With the addition of women’s club flag football leagues in 2026, the decision was made to enlarge the NSN Board to four directors to expand capacity and add expertise and relevant professional networks for flag football. Gary Cahen, Associate Director at the University of Central Florida, will join the returning NSN Board members as the fourth Director.
Erik brings over 20 years of institutional knowledge and specialized expertise to the Board, including his recent five-year tenure as Director of Officials for the NIRSA National Soccer Championships and his current role as NIRSA’s representative to the Officials Development Alliance. His dedication to the profession is evidenced by his development of an officiating pipeline to NCAA Division I and the establishment of a financial aid program to improve student access. This deep background in sports governance and officials’ development aligns perfectly with the mission and goals of NSN and NSC.
Caitríona has worked in collegiate recreation for over 20 years with a foot in both programming and facility operations, eventually culminating in senior leadership roles within the university system. Having served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and as Founder/President of two startup businesses, her fiduciary expertise will allow the NSN Board to establish a sustainable financial foundation and ensure rigorous oversight as the organization’s governance structure matures.
Max is truly a dedicated leader within NIRSA’s Championship Series, having served in numerous capacities, including his current role as Director of Competition for the NIRSA National Soccer Championships. His extensive volunteer history includes a three-year term on the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors and service on both the Sport Club Committee and the Championship Series Standards of Competition.
In previous roles, Max has been responsible for overseeing the operations for 30 sport club teams and managing recreational programming for a diverse community of over 10,000 members. Max’s distinct expertise and deep involvement across the Champ Series provides the essential foundation needed for NSN’s successful launch and early operation of sport club leagues.
Gary has dedicated 23 years to the profession and over 20 years of involvement within the NIRSA Championship Series, specifically with Flag Football and Tennis Work Teams, serving in various roles including chair, director of officials, and flag football editorial board member. Gary is also a champion of adaptive sports, working to expand those programs across his campus.
His deep knowledge of the Champ Series blended with his commitment to student success makes him a vital addition to the NSN Board, where his leadership will help ensure the new flag football leagues are launched and operated with high standards and commitment to experiential learning associated with NIRSA and the Championship Series.
“As the NIRSA Sports Network (NSN) Board of Directors follows our mission of providing leadership and governance for collegiate club and intramural sport, I am incredibly excited to share that Gary Cahen, Associate Director of Recreation & Wellness at the University of Central Florida, will be joining our team,” says Erik Jaeke, NSN Board President. “The NSN was created to manage the financial governance of the club soccer leagues within the Champ Series umbrella and is currently expanding to serve a crucial role in the development of club flag football leagues,” Erik adds.
“Gary’s vision for the future of club flag football, combined with Caitríona’s fiduciary expertise and Max’s deep roots in the Championship Series, ensures a seamless transition to move flag football into the club space. This collective leadership provides a stable foundation for the continued success of soccer while successfully launching and scaling new flag football leagues across member institutions,” says Erik.
Bylaws for the NIRSA Sports Network dictate that two of the NSN Board members must concurrently serve on the NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors. This intentional structure ensures alignment between leagues and the NIRSA Championship Series.
Over time, the NIRSA Sports Network will transition to the standard recruitment, evaluation, and slating process used by the NIRSA Foundation and the NIRSA Services Corporation. As a new entity within NIRSA, it is prudent to take a more streamlined approach, while building the organizational structures and growing the programs, while also growing the revenue of NSN. The NSN Board will increase its number of Directors as operations grow.
Please join me in welcoming these incoming and returning NIRSA leaders and extending your appreciation for their volunteer service to the Association!
