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 plan and one set of strategic values. NIRSA consistently strives to cultivate a culture of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, remaining deeply committed to meaningful JDEI practices. The nominating committees recruit with an intentional lens of equity and inclusion, recognizing that transparency, prudent fiduciary oversight, ethical decision making, and forward-thinking leadership leads to productive and agile governance.
NIRSA Board of Directors
At a recent meeting, the NIRSA Board of Directors reappointed Nicole Olmeda, Data Liaison to Colleges, Schools, and Units (Office of the President) at the University of Texas at Austin, and Rachael ‘Roach’ Finley, Owner of Rachael Finley Coaching and Consulting, to serve as Annual Directors for the 2024–2025 leadership year.
Nicole has been an active member of NIRSA for over 29 years. With a strong background in research and assessment within both Student Affairs and NIRSA, as shown in her previous work bringing the NIRSA Institutional Data Set to fruition, Nicole was specifically recruited to continue her service on the NIRSA Board for a second term in order to continue leading the benchmarking and data work that began during the 2023–2024 leadership year.
Rachael is a lifetime NIRSA member with nearly 20 years in service to collegiate recreation before recently starting her new journey as the owner of a coaching firm. Rachael has served as the NIRSA Student Leader as well as on on myriad NIRSA committees including the Governance Committee, the EDI Commission, the Annual Conference LGBTQI Planning Committee, the Small Programs Advisory Council, and the CAS Standards Review Committee. She is currently serving as the 2024 Annual Conference Program Committee Chair. Rachael’s many competencies align with her appointment to serve the Board by leading workforce efforts identified in NIRSA’s updated 2024–2027 strategic plan.
“I am excited and honored to work alongside the 2024–2025 NIRSA Board of Directors as well as to share space with volunteers from NIRSA’s other leadership groups,” says incoming NIRSA Board President Erin Patchett. “Our work is interconnected, and our volunteer leaders are thoughtful and talented humans—so the more we work together, the better positioned we will be to address the emerging needs of the collegiate recreation field. The 2024–2025 Board will have the opportunity to engage with priorities carried forward from the current leadership year, such as the data and benchmarking portfolio review, in addition to addressing aspects of the recently released Industry Insights report.”
Erin adds, “Higher education continues to face challenges, and these challenges certainly impact those of us in collegiate recreation. Our members and our leadership groups have some hard work to address in the coming year, but there is so much opportunity to evolve our industry and our communities through this hard work and intentional change.”
Nicole and Rachael join President-Elect Andre Love, Director of Recreational Sports at Ohio State University, and Abby Whaley, Senior Associate Director Facilities & Operations at Purdue University, as incoming Board members, with their terms beginning May 1. Returning Board members include Erin Patchett, Director of Administration & Assessment at Colorado State University; Lashica Thomas, Director at Coumbus State University; Kevin Martin, Director of Rec Sports at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; and Dr. Dexter Shorter, Associate Director of Campus Rec for Programs at Pennsylvania State University-University Park.
NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors
The NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors begins the 2024–2025 leadership year with three new Board members: Brian Smith, Senior Director Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology; Drake Belt, Associate Director, Facility and Safety Operations at the University of Arizona; and David DeAngelo, Senior Associate Director of Facilities at The Ohio State University.
Brian has been a NIRSA member since 2003, previously serving as a Member Network liaison for the NIRSA Board, as a staff member at the NIRSA Soccer Championships, as the Tournament Director for Region VI, and as Chair of the Member Network. His robust background in fundraising and stewardship coupled with proven leadership in moving initiatives from conception to completion will serve the Foundation well as NIRSA’s moves into the 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.
Drake is currently serving as the AZIRSA State Director and has previously chaired multiple committees including the Program and Proposal Committee for the Region III Student Lead On Conference, the Region I Communications Committee, and the Young Donor Work Team. Drake brings a passionate and demonstrable record of working to create equitable opportunities within a wide range of organizations—from creating an award-winning free swim program for Autism Speaks to collaboration with the African American Museum of Southern Arizona to create and fund a grant program for free swim lessons for children of color. By serving on the Foundation Board, Drake will be able to utilize his key strengths of advocacy, strategic thinking, and relationship stewardship to their fullest potential.
David, a long-time supporter of the Foundation, has—going back to 2001—served multiple terms on the Nominations & Appointments Committee and the Member Network and has served on the Student Professional Development Committee. For 30+ years, David has worked with the Ohio Special Olympics, the Summer Games, and the Winter Games as a fundraiser and an event planner while also providing space to host events. David’s position at The Ohio State has uniquely positioned him to cultivate stronger relationships with both NIRSA vendors and NIRSA associate members, which will strengthen the Foundation’s alignment with those resources.
“As we continue the necessary work to advance NIRSA and the field of campus recreation, I am proud of the NIRSA Foundation for always providing meaningful opportunities for scholarships, research, and key initiatives to serve the NIRSA members,” states incoming Foundation Board President Seneca Wilson. “The NIRSA Foundation success is contributed to the generosity of our amazing donors and the tireless work from the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors and NIRSA Staff. This past year, it has been an honor to serve alongside our NIRSA Foundation President, Sophia Marshall, as I witnessed the outstanding leadership and dedication to serve the NIRSA members and Foundation. Thank you, Sophia for your leadership.”
Seneca adds, “In this next year, it is important that we continue to tell our stories and increase our efforts to move the Association forward. With the 75th anniversary and celebration approaching, I am super excited to welcome Drake Belt, Dave DeAngelo, and Brian Smith to the board as we embark on this monumental year for the Association. Let’s buckle up and get ready to make a huge impact.”
Returning Board members include Seneca Wilson, Director of Recreation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Sophia Marshall, Director of the Center for Wellness Promotion at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Demond Pryor, Assistant Dean of Student Engagement & Success at the University of Toledo; Steve Bobbitt, Visiting Instructor, Sport and Recreation Management at James Madison University: Liz Henry, Associate Director of Recreation & Engagement at UC San Diego; Yvette Kell, Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Missouri–St Louis; and Kevin George, Director of Campus Recreation at Rowan University.
NIRSA Services Corporation Board of Directors
The NIRSA Services Corporation (NSC) Board of Directors begins the 2024–2025 leadership year with two new members: Chris Wise, Assistant Vice President Health and Well-Being at Virginia Tech; and Erik Jaeke, Associate Director of Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Chris’s 37+ years in the profession have encompassed the touch points most important to NIRSA: wellbeing, wellness, health, and belonging just to name a few. His service on the Vice President’s Executive Council for Virginia Tech has allowed him to bring his passion for students front and center, transitioning Residential Life to Residential Wellbeing. Chris’s experience intersecting business development with a 24/7 counseling access platform demonstrates the level of entrepreneurial workmanship that the NSC Board is known for.
Erik has been part of the NIRSA family since 2004. He’s been a leader in campus recreation for 13 years with a special dedication to serving as NIRSA’s Director of Soccer Officials for the Championship Series for the past five years. He also serves as the NIRSA Representative on the NASO Officials’ Development Board. Erik’s love of officiating drove him to create a pipeline of officials with the goal of providing opportunity within the NCAA Division 1 while also initiating a financial aid program to remove barriers for students. Erik’s leadership within the Champ Series, officiating, and the world of soccer puts him squarely in the middle of specific NSC initiatives.
“The NIRSA Services Corporation is excited to welcome Erik and Chris as its newest Board members,” says Dave Peters, incoming NSC Board President. “In addition to their extensive experiences in collegiate recreation, Erik’s relationships in the officiating community and Chris’s work building collaborative wellbeing programs will contribute significantly to the Board’s entrepreneurial efforts.”
Returning NIRSA Services Corporation Board members include Dave Peters, Senior Associate Director of Campus Rec at Florida State University; Caitríona Taylor, Executive Director of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance at Boston University; Jasmine Holmes, Associate Director, Sports Programs at Syracuse University; D.J. Preston, Director of Student Rec & Wellness at Radford University; and Iisha Voltz, Director of Campus Rec & Wellness at Texas Southern University.
Please join me in welcoming these incoming and returning NIRSA leaders and extending your appreciation for their volunteer service to the Association!
Pam Watts is currently the Executive Director at NIRSA.
