In this episode of the Director Download podcast, Katie Burns, the director of Campus Recreation at Boise State University, shares how a career spent guiding people through the wilderness and college life prepared her to lead a dynamic campus rec department.
Burns opens up about her roots as a professional backpacking and rock climbing guide in the Sierra Nevada and how those experiences shaped the lens through which she sees leadership. She walked through her years in Residence Life, where living alongside students taught her to spot problems early, have uncomfortable conversations and build genuine relationships — skills she now brings into every corner of her work as a director.
Six months into her new position, Burns reflects on what it takes to earn trust with a new team, why she asks every staff member to hand her a personal “user guide,” and her thoughts on the line between staying informed and micromanaging. She also connects her passion for ultra running to her leadership identity, and what it means to ask others to do hard things when you’re doing them yourself.
For anyone stepping into a new leadership role, this episode is worth a listen.
Show Highlights:
- How living-learning communities and outdoor programming shaped Burns’ focus on student wellness, tough conversations and necessary boundaries as a leader.
- The leadership lessons learned from being a rock climbing guide — including the importance of communicating small issues before they become a crisis.
- What losing a long-time residence life role to budget cuts taught Burns about separating identity from job title, and how that experience drives compassionate leadership.
- Her philosophy on doing hard things and the parallels of being an ultra runner and a rec director.
- The story and symbolism of Boise State’s blue turf and how it fuels a culture of innovation, tech adoption and student-centered experimentation.
- A reminder from Burns that directors have fears, families and flaws, and deeply care about the people they lead.
