Candidate for Region V Student Leader
Heath Howard
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Biography/Summary Resume
Heath Howard began his journey in collegiate recreation at Oklahoma State University (OSU) where he earned his degree in Business Management. He joined the Competitive Sports staff as a freshmen, and became involved with NIRSA programs at the end of his undergraduate career. Upon graduating, he returned home to Dallas, Texas where he accepted a Production Supervisor Position at a manufacturing company, where he worked for a year. He then decided to return to campus recreation, and accepted the position of Graduate Assistant of Sport Programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Heath is pursuing his master’s degree in Educational Administration in Higher Education.
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.
We have a great responsibility and opportunity to develop students in our roles within collegiate recreation in higher education. Students come into our programs with a variety of backgrounds and goals for their future. The most important part of our jobs in campus recreation is to ensure all students feel a sense of inclusion and belonging in our programs. I truly believe that the relationship our students and staff build during their time within our programs matter and will pay off in ways we might not expect in the moment. Regardless of what field our students are pursuing, collegiate recreation builds great life skills they will use anywhere they go. Often some might not know the direction in which they would like to go. This was the case for me. Through campus recreation, I found new passions and a sense of purpose through officiating and seeing the development and growth of our student through our programs. I believe strongly in passing it forward, and it is now at my very core in everything that I do.
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?
A major issue that students all over the country face in various different ways stems within Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. NIRSA has a strong stance and belief that everyone brings their own talents, gifts, and unique perspectives to our communities, and should be shown respect and acceptance. As a student leader, I will work to ensure all students are made aware of the opportunities they have in NIRSA and encourage them to voice their opinions and be heard. I feel there is lack of understanding of resources students can utilize from NIRSA. Through outreach and strategic marketing, students can benefit from the programs we offer.
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?
My past experience in NIRSA has primarily been involvement with the NIRSA Championship series, including several officiating, volunteer, and leadership roles a various tournaments. During my undergrad, I officiated at four regional tournaments and the national flag football tournament. As a graduate assistant, I have the responsibility of serving as tournament director for our flag football and basketball tournaments here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I also served on the All-Tournament Committee at the National Flag Football Tournament as well. In regard to professional NIRSA experience, I have attended various virtual conferences, as well as the Region V conference this past fall, which my school hosted. The roles and experiences I have keep me very involved in Region V, as well as NIRSA as a whole. I believe this make me uniquely qualified to serve in Region V in this capacity.
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?
At the forefront of my skills and talents, is my passion for helping others reach new successes and seek out need opportunities. My outgoing personality helps me to quickly connect with others as we find common ground and interests. I plan to use this to build quality relationship and trust, as I promote our student member recruitment & retention, and student development. I have developed skills in recruiting while organizing regional our tournaments, in a difficult situation as team number have been down across the country. My persistence and dedication for what I believe in is unwavering, and I use this to build belief in groups as we find common identities.
