Candidate for Region III Regional Representative
Corrine Pruett
Biography
Corrine Pruett currently serves as the Assistant Director of Operations for Recreation & Wellbeing (Rec Well) at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management from Central Washington University (CWU) and her Master of Science in Community & Therapeutic Recreation Management from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG).
Corrine began her journey in campus recreation while attending CWU as a challenge course facilitator, trip leader, and shop attendant for the Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals program. After taking on the role of student supervisor she immersed herself in more areas of campus recreation spending time working in intramural sports, facilities, special events, and student development. Deciding to turn her passion into a profession, she served as the Graduate Assistant of Facilities for the Department of Recreation & Wellness while attending graduate school at UNCG. Country Roads took her to West Virginia for her first full-time position as the Coordinator for Operations & Student Development at West Virginia University (WVU). During her time at WVU her portfolio included operations, member services, youth programming, events, and student development. After three and a half years she took her talents to Wisconsin and has been there since September of 2022.
Over the years, Corrine has developed an understanding and appreciation of campus recreation as a catalyst for change impacting student success and overall wellbeing. Corrine joined NIRSA in 2015 and has been actively involved in many capacities as a conference volunteer, presenter, committee member/chair, the 2018 – 2019 Region II Student Leader, and is currently the Wisconsin (WIRSA) State Director.
What is your NIRSA “Why”? (What does NIRSA mean to you?)
NIRSA means community. When I attended my first NIRSA Annual Conference in 2016 I had no idea what NIRSA was, what it did, nor how it would change the course of my life. Over the last 9 years I have come to love NIRSA and what it represents. I remember how moved I was learning about our Association’s founding and the intent behind getting together to solve problems and offer opportunities for the students that we serve.
NIRSA has introduced me to some of the most important people in my life. Mentors, colleagues, friends, even roommates. Smart, kind, passionate people dedicated and truly devoted to bettering each other and our communities. Something I could only dream of finding in my professional career.
So why? To move and motivate. To educate and engage. To impact and inspire. My why is their why. It’s your why. It’s our why. I believe in the power of people and what they can do when they come together and work towards a common goal.
We must also recognize the importance of progress. Our why may be the same but our climate has shifted. We must work together, again, to solve problems and offer solutions for the students that we serve today.
What are the current trends in collegiate recreation and higher education that you see impacting our work and the Association? How would you collaborate with the members in your region and the Member Network team to solve these issues?
As we assess the current trends in collegiate recreation and higher education one in particular stands out to me. Value. Whether that is the value of collegiate recreation within higher education or higher education within society as a whole we are seeing now more than ever the need to advocate for the advancement of our work. With resources getting tighter and practitioners battling burn out that challenge seems daunting. The truth is the work we do transcends sport, fitness, customer service, and even wellbeing. It addresses the crucial needs of belonging and flourishing. People find it through engaging in the work we do. It is up to us to continue to tell that story.
How has your experience in your state, region, and/or NIRSA prepared you to serve on the Member Network? What unique skills or talents would you bring to the Member Network?
I had the opportunity to serve on the Member Network as the Region II Student Leader from 2018-2019. During that time, I not only learned about the Member Network but all facets of NIRSA Governance. I became well versed in what each group is responsible for and how to best collaborate and work together. I currently serve as the State Director for the Wisconsin Intramural Recreational Sports Association (WIRSA). Understanding what is currently being discussed and happening on both the state and regional levels, within Region III in particular, will be vital to the success of the person coming into this role. We are doing a lot of good work and I would be honored and excited to help us get there!
For those familiar with Clifton Strengths, my top five strengths are Responsibility, Significance, Restorative, Relator, and Achiever. If you are not familiar this means that I take ownership and accountability for the work that I do, I am motivated by the ability to have a significant impact on others, I thrive in not only identifying problems but finding solutions, I connect deeply with others and value relationships, and I work hard. These are all characteristics and strengths that are beneficial when operating on the Member Network.
