Several professionals from around the country were recently asked what they are looking forward to the most during the 2021-2022 academic year. Here’s what they shared:
Lindy Fenex
Director of Recreation
University of California, Riverside
“What I am most looking forward to during the 2021-2022 academic year is the opportunity to reconnect with staff and students in person. I’m also looking forward to recentering our programs and services with the community we serve. We’ve done many good things in the remote environment. However, I’m energized to see how much more we can achieve face to face.”
Vicki Highstreet
Interim Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Project Manager
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“Fall 2021 will bring life to campus that we haven’t seen in a while. Although our campus has been in-person for the past academic year, we have also had a higher number of hybrid activities, lessoning the visual numbers seen on our campus. Being the only institution in the B1G that conducted in-person new student orientation this summer reminded us how vibrant the campus is when we see our students walking and talking across campus and in our buildings.
“In my new role in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the work is about creating a sustainable structure for developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of our staff for the division of Student Affairs. Staff engagement has been outstanding. There is an excitement around this work knowing that when our staff learn and grow it will also benefit our students and other constituents as we strive to live our words of ‘every person and every interaction matters’ at the University of Nebraska.”
Jocelyn Hill
Director of Recreational Sports and Fitness
American University
“This has been an incredible journey with the COVID-19 pandemic. I usually say I can’t wait for them to go home at the end of the academic year, and I can’t wait for them to return in the fall. This fall I really cannot wait until they all return.”
Steve Thompson
Director of Campus Recreation
University of Montana
“I love feeling the energy the students return with each fall. The excitement on campus is palpable. As a department we strive to capture, channel and amplify that energy through our various programs and facilities. We do this to help the students realize their full academic and personal potential. So for me, being able to operate Campus Recreation at close to 100% for the first time in two years will be very rewarding.”
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
