Schedule

Tentative Schedule

Monday, November 4th

7:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm Registration

8:00am-3:pm – Pre Conference Sessions

5:00 – 6:00 pm Opening General Session & Welcome Social

Tuesday, November 5th

7:30 – 8:30 am Coffee Connections

8:30 – 9:30 am 60 minute session

9:30 – 9:45 am Break

9:45 -10:45 am 60 minute session

10:45 -11:00 am Break

11:00 am- 12:00 pm 60 minute session

12:00 – 2:30 pm Lunch in EXPO

2:30 – 3:30 pm 60 minute session

3:30 -3:45 pm Break

3:45 – 4:45 pm 60 minute session

7:00 – 9:00 pm All Conference Social

Wednesday, November 6th

7:30 – 8:30 am Coffee Connections

8:30 – 9:30 am 60 minute session

9:30 – 9:40 am Break

9:40 -10:40 am 60 minute session

10:40 -10:50 am Break

10:50-11:50 am 60 minute session

11:50- 12:00 pm Break

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Closing Session

Sessions Overview:

Approaches to Inclusive Recreation

In this session we would talk about inclusive activities that are nontraditional sports and different from your normal Intramural sports such as (Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball) We would talk about inclusive activities such as BINGO, Spelling Bee, Blind Fold Bocce Ball, sitting volleyball and many more. How integrating these different activities helped target students that normally wouldn’t sign up for Intramurals. We would discuss how we made these activities possible and making them more inclusive for everyone. We we would discuss the challenges we had to overcome, what we made adjustments on and if it was a success. We would have a 30 minute presentation. We would then open it up to audience. We would make small groups with everyone to discuss with one another activities they do or activities they could do for about 10 minutes. They would discuss what are some of the challenges they could face (facility space, marketing, lack of participation. ) Then for the last 10-15 minutes bring it back in to the whole group discussion of what their small groups came up with see if anybody has great ideas they are already doing that others might want to try and discuss challenges they might have and how to overcome those challenges. Last 5 minutes if anybody has any questions for us.

What the Tech: Building a Technology Community

From membership databases, to reporting applications, scheduling software and more, the use of technology within campus recreation continues to grow. Learn about the inception of a new technology focused work committee among professional staff at San Diego State. Hear about the benefits, what has been accomplished in the past year, and where we see things going forward.

Rethinking Change: A Musical Approach to Organizational Transformation

Designed to help teams address the challenges of change in today’s workplace, the workshop introduces two practical frameworks: viewing the organization as a song and the staff as a band. These frameworks provide fun and approachable perspectives individuals can apply to the workplace. The first framework looks at the organization as a favorite song, classifying critical points as rhythm, melody, or harmony. The second framework portrays the staff as a band responsible for playing the song, delving into the roles, priorities, and mindsets that extend beyond position descriptions. Through these frameworks, participants can identify how they can approach changes they face in a new mindset.

Engaging Gen Z: Social Media Strategies and Content Creation

Overview: In today’s digital landscape, Generation Z (Gen Z), born roughly between 1997 and 2012, represents a significant demographic for brands and businesses aiming to connect through social media. Understanding their preferences, behaviors, and the platforms they frequent is crucial for developing effective marketing strategies. Key Points Covered: 1. Understanding Gen Z: Explore the defining characteristics of Gen Z, including their digital fluency, preference for authenticity, and social consciousness. How do these traits influence their interaction with social media? 2. Platform Preferences: Analyze the platforms Gen Z favors—Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat—and the unique content styles that thrive on each. What types of content resonate best with this audience? 3. Content Creation Strategies: Discuss best practices for creating compelling content tailored to Gen Z, such as storytelling through short-form videos, user-generated content (UGC), and interactive polls or challenges. 4. Authenticity and Transparency: Highlight the importance of authenticity in brand messaging and the power of transparent communication. How can brands build trust and credibility with Gen Z through their social media presence? 5. Engagement and Community Building: Strategies for fostering engagement, building communities, and leveraging influencer partnerships to amplify reach and impact among Gen Z. 6. Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing data analytics to track trends, measure campaign effectiveness, and adapt strategies in real-time to better resonate with Gen Z’s evolving preferences. Case Studies and Examples: Illustrate successful campaigns and case studies where brands effectively engaged Gen Z through innovative social media strategies. Highlight lessons learned and actionable insights. Q&A and Discussion: Engage the audience in a discussion on challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends in social media marketing aimed at Gen Z. Address specific queries and provide practical solutions. Conclusion: Summarize key takeaways and emphasize the importance of continuous adaptation and creativity in social media strategies to connect meaningfully with Generation Z. Audience: Marketers, brand managers, and anyone interested in enhancing their understanding and strategies for engaging Generation Z through social media. This presentation aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and actionable strategies to effectively harness the power of social media in connecting with Generation Z.

Play Your Cards Right – An Early Career Professional Guide

Although it’s a natural progression to move into your first professional position (either as an undergraduate or a graduate student), it still comes with its growing pains. We’re here to offer insights/experiences as a past cohort of Graduate Assistants that are now in their first professional role at various levels & institutions to make current/incoming early career professionals lives’ an easier transition.

Fat is Not a Feeling – The Problem with Perpetuating Thinness in Campus Recreation

This presentation is an introduction to what anti-fat bias is and how it affects the culture of maintaining thinness around campus recreation. This is for people that are interested in making their facility more welcoming and inclusive. People of all body types are encouraged to attend. This presentation will also include additional resources for furthering your education on what anti-fat bias is and other tools to deconstruct the social norm of thinness in campus recreation.

Wellness Reimagined: Integrating Tech and Human Connection in Collegiate Recreation

Technology is essentially ever-present in our lives today and that includes our recreation, health and wellness journeys. While there is exciting empowerment in this reality, it creates new paradigms for collegiate recreation departments: What is the best balance of digital advancements and human connectivity? This session will explore innovative strategies for achieving that balance. It will look highlight case studies, tools and metrics that recreation leaders can use as decision-making frameworks for their institutions, students and campus communities.

Cultural Heritage Month Programing in Campus Sports and Recreation- Past, Present and Future

This newly developed Campus Sports and Recreation program at the Northeastern University Oakland Campus (formerly Mills College) started some new programing focused on Inclusion while collaborating across campus with Campus Heritage Month Programing.

The Power of Play: Campus Recreation Benefits Mean More Than We Know

You’ve landed the interview… now what? Session attendees will learn tips for preparing for an interview and for how to most effectively respond to common interview questions. Opportunities will be available for attendees to respond to questions and get feedback from NIRSA professional members and their peers.

Adapting to Change: What Happens When Student Employees Unionize

Discuss our experiences at the University of Oregon with the unionization of student workers on campus.

Bet the House on Love: Applying “Love Languages” in the Workplace

If you’re betting on success, consider betting the house on love. In this 30-minute session, participants will learn about the five “Love Languages” and how to employ these concepts within a professional work environment to strengthen professional relationships and facilitate a more productive and positive workplace culture. We’ll review the framework developed by Gary Chapman and Paul White in the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, reflect on and discover how our personal love languages show up in our profession, and identify impactful ways of supporting our colleagues and teams.

Gender Inclusive Locker Rooms: From concept to construction to operating at the University of Washington

University of Washington Recreation will present its journey to the reopening of its Rec Center with gender inclusive locker rooms. This was part of a larger – and long-overdue – facility upgrade, which included an expanded and updated pool. The highs and lows of the project with be discussed, including how the concept of all locker rooms being gender inclusive and fully accessible came to be, an overview of the construction process, and sharing the operational realities of the new spaces which re-opened in the Fall of 2023.

Come As You Are – How to get Students in the Doors

Sometimes, it can be tough to get students in the doors of Campus Recreation. We’ll review strategies we’ve implemented at UC Davis for inviting hesitant students into our facility and engaging them in our wellness programs.

Roundtable

Aquatics & Risk Roundtable

Membership Roundtable

Outdoor Programs Roundtable

Facilities Roundtable

DEI Roundtable

Associate Director/Director Roundtable

Fitness Roundtable

IM/Sports Club Roundtable

Assessment & Student Development Roundtable