It’s time to go behind the curtain of the director role and have honest discussions with leaders in the campus recreation industry.
In episode 45 of the Director Download podcast, host Grady Sheffield, the director of Campus Recreation at Towson University and senior advisor to Campus Rec Magazine, sits down with Chris McAlpine, the director of University Recreation at The University of Texas at Dallas.
With experience spanning multiple institutions and regions, McAlpine brings a grounded, people-first perspective to campus rec leadership. In this conversation, he reflects on career mobility, supervising with empathy and navigating hard moments like budget cuts and cultural shifts in the field.
From rethinking work–life balance to intentionally programming for evolving student demographics, McAlpine shares candid insight on what it takes to lead sustainably while keeping students and staff at the center of the mission.
So if you’re a campus rec professional navigating leadership transitions, cultural shifts or the realities of leading people through change, this episode is a must-listen.
Show Notes from the Conversation on People-First Leadership:
- Why career growth often requires stepping into unfamiliar roles, institutions and regions.
- How supervising with empathy and seeing staff as people first strengthens teams and trust.
- Why campus recreation leaders must model healthier work–life balance as the field evolves.
- How understanding student demographics should drive programming and service decisions.
- Why campus partnerships are essential for expanding recreation’s visibility and impact.
- How transparent leadership during budget cuts and hard times shapes staff morale.
- Advice for emerging leaders on relationship-building, supervision and long-term career sustainability.
So if you’re a campus rec professional navigating leadership transitions, cultural shifts or the realities of leading people through change, this episode is a must-listen.
