Welcome to the Director Download, powered by Campus Rec Magazine.
It’s time to go behind the curtain of the director role and have honest discussions with leaders in the campus recreation industry.
In this episode, host Grady Sheffield, the director of Campus Recreation at Towson University and senior advisor to Campus Rec Magazine, chats with Yvette Kell, the director of Campus Recreation at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
With nearly three decades of experience in the field, Kell brings both humor and hard-won wisdom to the director chair. From managing a groundbreaking wellness facility at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to teaching English in Korea after a career setback, her story is one of grit, growth and grit again. She opens up about the mental toll of leadership and the importance of reframing failure. Plus, she shares why embracing lifelong learning has been key to her success.
Show Notes from the Conversation with Yvette Kell:
- How officiating intramurals in undergrad sparked her career in campus rec.
- The challenges and politics of managing one of the first integrated wellness centers in higher ed.
- What she learned from losing her job — and why she spent a year teaching English abroad.
- How storytelling, humor, and candid communication shape her leadership style today.
- Why she believes student development language has finally caught up to what rec has always
- What it means to “not take it personally” — and how that mindset shift protects your well-being.
- The power of letting go of others’ expectations and embracing the chaos of change.
If you’re a campus rec professional seeking perspective, reassurance and a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode is for you.
