Jacob Novick
Towson 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 the current State Student Leader for Maryland/Delaware/D.C., I understand firsthand how important student leadership roles are in campus recreation. During my four years of undergraduate and my first year at grad school, campus recreation has played a large role in my academic career. Collegiate recreation has allowed me to develop my leadership skills along with my communication and team work capabilities. I have been able to experience many different aspects of a professional work environment by engaging with professional staff at the University of New Haven and at Towson University. My undergraduate experience in ChargerRec has led me to the graduate assistant of competitive sports position and set me on a career path for collegiate recreation.

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 in campus recreation student’s face is equity, diversity, and inclusion. Within campus recreation there are many different aspects students are able to participate in. Working within campus recreation has shown me that people with many different capabilities are interested in the same goals of fitness and recreation. During my term as Region I Student Leader, I would like to address this issue with student leaders across the region to see how universities are creating welcoming and adaptive recreation environments. I want to work with state students leaders along with state representatives to encourage recreation departments to offer adaptive rec in each of their programs and facility areas. Working with the Student Leadership Team we will be able to address the issues that arise from equity, diversity, and inclusion by working through each challenge that is posed to find solutions. These solutions will be able to be shared amongst the NIRSA community to benefit all collegiate recreation centers.

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?

During the first year as a NIRSA member I was able to attend the Region I Conference in Annapolis, Maryland. During the conference I was able to connect with other students who were interested in campus recreation as well. Now, as a state student leader, I am able to work with other students to discuss issues within the region and discuss helpful tips and tricks to excel in this role. Being a state student leader I have had the opportunity to work alongside the current Region I Student Leader and the State Representative for Maryland/Delaware/D.C. Being able to work alongside these individuals I have been able to learn what qualities it takes to be successful in this role. By reaching out to the State Student Leaders and the state representatives, I would be able to advocate for the students of the region and the issues they may be facing within their department/field of work within campus recreation.

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 the many positions and roles I have held within campus recreation I believe I would be able to bring great leadership, communication, and teamwork skills to this role. I have been able to work alongside many different student and professional staff which has allowed me to develop these skills. My communication amongst these groups varies in levels of professionalism and the tone set forth. In my current role of Graduate Assistant of Competitive Sports, I oversee five supervisors along with 30+ club teams. There are many different levels of leadership this position requires which has prepared me for the Region I Student Leader position.