Alexis Shura
James Madison University

Please provide a statement of your personal views on the role and contributions of collegiate recreation in higher education. In your response describe how collegiate recreation has influenced your development.

As higher education professionals, we are in the field of helping individuals become the best versions of themselves. By providing a space on campus for students to feel welcome and included, I have seen the true impact that we can have on those we serve. When we invest in students, we invest in the future of the Association and the field of campus recreation as a whole. Within the field we provide an outlet for students to participate in activities where they feel safe. Creating this space is something we as professionals take pride in doing. In the past, I have shied away from opportunities due to complacency and fear of the unknown. However, as I have become a more active member of the NIRSA community I have developed a sense of belonging and the ability to give other students opportunities for growth as well. Collegiate recreation has influenced me to get outside of my comfort zone and take risks, and my goal is to provide this same atmosphere for others. The mentors I have had the honor of learning from over the last four years have made a profound impact on me both personally and professionally. They have given me the confidence and courage to lead the next generation of young professionals and I hope to have this same impact on them.

Within the context of the NIRSA Strategic Plan, what area/item would you say is a major issue students face today? Please identify a student-driven issue that we are currently facing today and how you would like to address this during your term. How will you create solutions in your role on the Student Leadership Team to address it?

One of the major issues students face today falls within the areas of health and wellbeing. Today, the mental health crisis facing many college campuses around the world is one of the most prevalent issues to date. The pandemic year was difficult with so many students being stuck in isolation and avoiding all the things they used to do. Now, students are struggling with getting back to their routines and “pre-pandemic” life. I believe these struggles are holding students back from taking advantage of the opportunities available to them throughout campus and within the Association once again.

The only way to combat this issue is to understand what the students need and to evaluate the needs of our campus communities before implementing any major changes. In relation to the NIRSA Strategic Plan, reimagining learning, education, and networking is something that personally resonated with me. By listening to and engaging with students, we are able to provide a range of opportunities for diverse groups of individuals, with the desire to increase health and wellbeing. As recreation professionals, we know there is a positive correlation between physical activity, academic success, and mental health. Knowing this fact and having the opportunity to directly impact students within campus recreation, I hope to make this a focus as Region II Student Leader. My goal is to be the voice for the students of not only Region II but the entire student body of the Association. Regardless of membership status throughout the region, I believe providing a student-driven survey to those around campuses to get a well-rounded idea of what students are looking for is a good place to start. However, nothing will beat face-to-face interactions with a student on a daily basis. We need to meet students where they are to better understand their needs before implementing any change due to the constantly changing environments around us. As a team, we can promote and advance those ideas to the students and members to fully execute those changes.

In describing your contributions to NIRSA (i.e. presentations, volunteering, previous leadership roles, etc,), identify how your involvement and experiences meet the Regional Student Leader position criteria and qualify you to advocate for and serve the students of the Association?

In 2019, I attended the last Region II Conference before the pandemic where I was able to meet many other young professionals within the field of campus recreation. During the conference I was a volunteer session monitor. I then attended the NIRSA Annual Conference held virtually and I was astonished to see how well the Association was able to put on such a great experience. Following these eye-opening opportunities, I now serve as a member of the Region II Student Lead On Committee where I work alongside five others where we are able to collaborate and serve the students of the Association. After attending a Student Lead On in person, that rewarding experience is what I hope to create for students in the future.

In addition, I was recognized for my article submission entitled “Rec Work Pushes Students Beyond Their Comfort Zones” in Athletic Business Magazine which was sponsored by NIRSA’s Next Generation of Campus Recreation contest. I believe now I have the knowledge and experience to immerse myself into the responsibility of making it a successful conference for others.

Throughout my time in campus recreation, I have been able to make connections with other students around the country and understand their needs and perspectives. During my undergraduate and graduate career, I have been given the opportunity to explore my leadership skills and learn more about myself in order to best serve the needs of my cohort and student teams. Over time I have seen the impact we can make in a student’s day with every different type of activity within a campus recreation facility. My goal is to help students see the importance of participating in our programs in their daily or weekly routines in order to aid in their development.

As a Regional Student Leader within NIRSA, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the field of collegiate recreation. With a focus on Student Member Recruitment & Retention, and Student Development what skills, talents, and perspectives would you bring to the Student Leadership Team?

Through my college career I have recognized my skills for organization and planning. I am someone who needs structure and routines in order to be productive. This trait is something I believe will lead me to be successful in executing the responsibilities of the Region II Student Leader, especially when it comes to putting together meetings, conferences, and facilitating communication between the various teams I will be working with. I am also the type of person who loves to peer over the horizon and into the future. This outlook motivates me to set short- and long-term goals that I can cross off my list now and in the future. In the role, this perspective would prepare me and the team for the responsibilities of planning the conference and student development opportunities. I pride myself in creating a shared vision with those around me and working towards something greater by fully immersing ourselves into that vision and goal.

With a focus on student recruitment and retention, I believe in my ability to collect information in the hopes of it being useful later on. I believe that my StrengthsQuest strength “positivity” will aid me in creating relationships with students that will help NIRSA to recruit, retain, and engage a variety of students. As a first-year student who was not yet engaged with campus recreation, I struggled to find my place on campus. I now understand the value of belonging and the place that a strong community can provide. My hope is to bring students together as the regional leader so that they can feel that connectedness. By listening and engaging with the students and the Member Network, I am able to collect information and apply it to our goals within Region II that relate to student recruitment and retention. I have seen both sides of the NIRSA experience within campus recreation—from a participant point of view and by working as an undergraduate student employee as well as a graduate assistant. I believe I have the ability to connect and relate with students to get them excited to excel in their own journeys through higher education and beyond. I believe the perspectives and experiences I have gained over the last four years have taught me a great deal about myself and how to reach others.