Candidate for Region VI Regional Representative
Richelle Williams
Western Washington University
Biography/Summary Resume
Richelle has been the Aquatics and Youth Programs Coordinator at Western Washington University since 2016. Through her time at WWU she has expanded the group and private swim lesson programs, developed an American Red Cross program, increased summer camps and youth programs, and helped build student staff development programs. Richelle has served on department and intercampus committees such as the WWU Professional Staff Organization – Salaries and Benefits Committee, Suicide Prevention Committee, Campus Recreation All Staff Training Planning Committee, Risk Management Committee, and CAS Standards Committee. She is involved in teaching for the Faculty/Staff Wellness program by coaching the Masters Swim Team, teaching cycle class, and teaches a beginning swimming PE class.
Richelle has been a NIRSA member since 2011 and has served the Association in numerous ways. She currently serves on the Nominations and Appointments Committee, is chair of the #RecChat Committee, serves on the All Regions Virtual Conference Planning Committee, and is a facilitator for the Ideas in Motion Aquatics Roundtable Series. She has also served on the NIRSA Championship Series Student Professional Development Committee (2018-2019), NIRSA Region VI Conference Planning Committee (2017-2018), NIRSA Region I Student Development Committee (2014-2016), NIRSA Student Professional Development Committee (2015, 2016, 2017), NIRSA Region IV Student Lead On Planning Committee (2013-2014), and the NIRSA Region IV Engagement Coordinator Support Committee (2013-2014).
Richelle lives in Bellingham with her partner, Jey. She enjoys coffee, craft beer, and CrossFit.
What do you see as opportunities in collegiate recreation and our Association? How would you collaborate with the Member Network team to address these issues?
In the last two years I have doubled down on my commitment to being actively anti-racist and creating opportunities for growth and discussion in all places that I serve, whether that be on committees or in the workplace. I would love to have the opportunity to continue to bring a millennial viewpoint into the Member Network and work to continue to push the conversation regarding anti-racism education, inclusion, and recreation for all students. This is an opportunity to continue to bring NIRSA’s strategic plan and commitment to DEI work to the forefront of Region VI and work to continue to build more opportunities for connection and understanding. I would love to be a part of creating actionable items and plans for people moving toward naming, addressing, and dismantling inequities within campus recreation.
In describing your contributions to NIRSA, identify how your involvement and experiences meet the position criteria and qualify you to serve NISRA in this role.
Through my current service on the Nominations and Appointments Committee I have been a part of the process of putting together regional committees as well as participated in the process for slating national-level leadership positions. During my time in NIRSA I have been a part of quite a few national and regional level committees that have helped me learn how to think about the bigger picture and create plans for actionable items. This is something I would love to continue and grow. As #RecChat Chair, and a current member on All Regions Conference Committee, I have had a lot of experience putting together subcommittees, delegating tasks, and setting timelines.
Please share your ideas for engaging volunteers and identifying leaders in your region.
The continued creation and implementation of regional committees and social connections are ways to create more opportunities for connection through this massive region. It will be important to explore options to identifying leaders through mentorship, intentional social connections, and education about NIRSA volunteer committees and leadership pathways.
