Wes Sternberg
Colorado State 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.

Collegiate recreation has influenced my development not only career wise but character wise tremendosly throughout the years. Beyond being a key part in shaping my leadership & progressive problem solving skills, collegiate recreation has influenced my democratic & servant leadership styles substantially. I’ve learned to foster a welcoming & supportive environment wherever its needed, while also being able to implement them in my life as well.

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?

According to NIRSA’s Strategic Plan, I think a major issue students face today would be prioritizing physical & mental wellness specificlly within the Health & Wellness sector of the plan. Whether its mindfulness-based fitness classes or stress relief programs mixed with wellness coaching, every student should feel comfortable & empowered to step foot in recreation spaces. Ultimately enhancing the student engagement & sucess across the board.

Describe your contributions to NIRSA (i.e. presentations, volunteering, previous leadership roles, etc.) and identify how your involvement and experiences qualify you to advocate for and serve the students of the Association.

I unfortantly haven’t had the opportunity to dedicate any of my time or service to any of NIRSA’s many involvements. Although, I was able to participate as a player in NIRSA’s regional flag football tournament for both coed & women’s in the fall. There I was able to observe the passion & attention to detail that went into every aspect of the weekend & also meet represenatives from Oregon & Wyoming.

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?

From coaching new IM officials to serving as the president of CSU Club Tennis, I devote a lot of time to empowering & engaging students like myself to truely believe in themselves & not be set on a fixed mindset. If students are able to feel comfortable in an environement they’re ten times more likely to thrive & produce innovative ideas & thinking to the table.

Describe your leadership style. How will it benefit you and the rest of the Student Leadership Team?

As stated above, I very much follow the coaching & servant leadership style. I like to watch others around me grow & knowing that I had a part of that makes it feel worth it. In additon, always growing up with the coaching leadership style, I think it allows for skill development to florish as it makes room for guidance & growth.

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 your strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between your various roles (student, volunteer, athlete, employee, etc.).

Between being an IM manager & office manager, club president, having an athletic internship, founder of my own nonprofit & a director in my sorority I think of time as the most value aspect. Therefore I often will plan out my days usually two weeks in advance so I can make time for everything. Most importantly, I make sure everything I’m doing I truly enjoy & love because otherwise I feel as though times wasted. Consequently, having a schedule & holding myself accountable to others & myself allows me to maintain a healthy balance between various roles.