Biography
Lisca de Jager began their work with collegiate recreation at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning their degrees in Psychology & Art Practices. Lisca started working as a lifeguard at the rec center as soon as they started schoool, and was promoted to head lifeguard by the end of the academic year. Lisca has only just started getting involved with NIRSA but has been involved regionally in different areas of higher ed. Lisca plans to continue in higher education post graduation.
Questions & Responses
Describe your personal perspective on the role of collegiate recreation within higher education. In your response, explain how being involved with collegiate recreation has impacted your own growth and development as a student.
The recreation center is incredibly important for students at colleges. I know many people who have had the reccreation center be a factor in their decision to go to certain colleges. This is soemthing that was a part of my decision as well. Students use the rec centers for not only working out and bettering themselves but also to engage with their peers, try new things, and have a safe space. Many students try new clubs and sports which helps create community for many people. Many people try out new exercises and learn more ways on how they can use their body. And almost all students use rec centers to be able to work through their thoughts and use the rec center as a safe space for them. I first stepped foot into my rec center a year prior to attending due to a swim camp I joined. I fell in love with the rec center and knew that this was a major factor in going to CU Boulder. Coming into CU I applied to be a lifeguard and started almost immediately as a started school. Lifeguarding gave me my first community and my first place out of dorm to meet people and create friends. This job has helped me build many skills. Many because I strived to be a head lifeguard early on. Deanna has made it a mission for me to develop these skills by going beyond what is normal for a head lifeguard. I have learned how to train, hire, & create community for my fellow lifeguards. And many other skills as well.
Share the ways you have been involved with NIRSA (e.g., volunteering, presentations, previous leadership roles, etc.). Explain how these experiences have prepared you to represent and advocate for students in collegiate recreation.
I have not previously been involved with NIRSA. But I do have experience in Residence Life & NACURH/IACURH. These function similarly with conferences, awards, and presentations. I have represented my school in these conferences several times and I have lead presentations for other student leaders many times as well. Including a presentation on public speaking which has been a major help for many representative from other schools. I believe the skills I have learned in this other capacity will be completely transferable to NIRSA, and my ability to perform the tasks as Regional Student Leader.
Within the context of the NIRSA Strategic Plan, what area/item would you say is a major issue students face today? How would you address this issue during your term?
I am unable to look at the strategic plan. But an issues I have seen with students is lonelieness. I have found many students struggle with making friends. This is where rec centers can definitely step in. Recreation centers provide a place for students to find community. And soemthing I can do to help boost this, is provide ways for students & professional staff at their university can help engage students more. Wether this is templates for events/programs catered for students or other ways for recreation centers can reach out to students to engage them. I can workshop ways to help with this issue.
The Student Leadership Team focuses on student development, and Student Member recruitment and retention. What skills, talents, and perspectives would you bring to the Student Leadership Team that would contribute to this focus?
I currently have my experience working in residence life, not only as a school represenstative for my region but also on my campus. I have helped with student development with a number of programs, trainings, and presentationes for students. I also currently am a part of the student staff development committee in my rec center. Which helped puts on events for student staff and plan items like banquet & training.
Describe what role you typically take on a team and how your leadership style will contribute to the Student Leadership Team.
I take on the role as a delegator. I have helped create and lead many successful taskforces where I am able to successfully delegate tasks to students. Thus spreading out the workload according to how much each person can take as well as still be successful. I have been able to get people motivated for these taskforces.
As a member of the Student Leadership Team, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the field of collegiate recreation. However, we acknowledge and respect that you are a student first. Explain how you maintain a healthy balance between your various responsibilities (student, volunteer, athlete, employee, etc.).
I keep a pretty diligent spreadsheet of how many hours I work. The main idea is to make sure that I am not working over hours but also to see how I spend my time and what are the outcomes. This helps me better spread out my time according to my tasks to be successful. I also keep a well maintained calendar that makes sure I always have time scheduled to completely class items but also to rest & relax with friends. I have found these items to help me greatly.
