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 the senior advisor to Campus Rec Magazine, gives you the listener real and authentic conversation between himself and special guest Shelbi Long, the director of Recreation at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).
Long shares her journey from her athletic roots at Lock Haven University, through various roles within campus recreation, to her current position at UPenn. She delves into her transition from athlete to administrator, the influence of mentorship on her career and her approach to leadership — which prioritizes people first and looks to foster strong relationships.
Moreover, Long discusses the complexities of operating within the Ivy League environment, emphasizing the unique challenges and the strategic necessity of being adaptable and resilient.
As Long approaches significant milestones in her career, she reflects on the evolution of her roles and the broader implications for campus recreation leadership, providing valuable insights for current and aspiring directors in the field.
Enjoy this conversation that offers a glimpse into the life of a campus recreation director.
Show Notes from the Conversation with Shelbi Long
- Long discusses the structure at UPenn and how she supports Athletics at 2:46.
- Explore how she transitioned from athlete to campus recreation at 5:21.
- Where did Long go next after her graduate assistantship? Find out at 7:48.
- Mentors have played a pivotal role in getting Long to where she is today. Find out more at 15:48.
- Long shares how her background in different areas helps her as a director at 19:28.
- One priority is most important for Long as a director. Find out what it is at 24:09.
- Long discusses what she learned when first taking the role as a director at an Ivy League school at 30:33.
- What does she wish she knew when first becoming a director? Long shares at 34:07.
- According to Long, the higher up the ladder you go, the less campus rec stuff you do. Find out more at 39:52.
- Long shares how different relationships help when business gets tough at 45:17.
Loving the Director Download? Then don’t miss an episode by subscribing here.
