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 Lynn Thompson, the senior director of Recreation and Wellbeing at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
Lynne Thompson didn’t always see herself as a director. But through maximizing every role she stepped into and building a career grounded in mentorship, psychological safety, and team development, she’s become a leader shaping the future of campus recreation.
Thompson and Sheffield cover everything from building a culture of psychological safety and empowering staff, to navigating professional boundaries and growing wellness-focused programming. Thompson’s people-first leadership style and passion for continuous improvement offer practical insights for anyone seeking to strengthen their team and drive student success.
In this episode, Lynne Thompson discusses:
- How mentorship played a key role in her transition from fitness coordinator to senior director.
- How she developed a health risk assessment and coaching program for incoming freshmen in 2008 — years ahead of the industry trend.
- The challenges of moving to a big city alone and why stepping outside her comfort zone helped shape her career.
- Why staff need the freedom to take risks, make mistakes and learn from failure without fear of judgment.
- How she balances accountability with empathy, ensuring expectations are clear while supporting staff growth.
- Why she pushed for changing her department’s name to Recreation and Wellbeing to better reflect its mission and align with campus partners.
- The biggest lessons she’s learned about leading in a diverse, urban, commuter-heavy institution.
So, whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership approach, better support your staff, or gain inspiration for the future of recreation and well-being, this episode is full of valuable lessons you can put into practice today.
Enjoy!
