The Final Exam is your chance to get to know leaders in the industry. For the September/October 2025 issue, Campus Rec Magazine spoke with Chris Aungst, the director of Campus Recreation at Northern Arizona University.
1. How did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and practically lived in the pool. It was no surprise I became a lifeguard at 15. That early start led to roles as a swim instructor, diving coach, assistant pool manager, and aquatics and fitness facility manager by the time I graduated college. My career progressed through leadership positions with the YMCA. I also taught health and wellness courses as an adjunct instructor at a couple of universities which made the move into campus recreation a natural next step when I joined Northern Arizona University (NAU) Campus Recreation last year.
2. How would you describe campus recreation at NAU?
We’re rooted in a mission to empower individuals to live healthy, balanced lives through an inclusive and vibrant environment that supports physical, emotional and social wellness. We offer a wide range of programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Our department is undergoing an exciting transformation as over 75% of our professional staff are new in the past year, bringing fresh energy, creativity, and a shared commitment to serving students and the broader campus community. It’s a fun, team-oriented culture where collaboration, customer service and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.
3. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career?
When I was hired last August, more than half of our full-time positions were vacant. Over the next nine months, we had to cast a new vision for the department, align with broader university priorities and strategically deploy limited resources to ensure students were still being served. At the same time, we worked hard to hire the right people, navigate additional vacancies, rebuild trust and cultivate a supportive, high-performing culture. We made it through, and we’ve built one of the best recreation teams I’ve ever been a part of.
4. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
One of the most meaningful accomplishments of my career was being a part of the leadership team at the Monroe County YMCA that successfully fundraised, planned and executed a major expansion project. In just a few years, we went from one stand-alone facility to three. We built a new gymnastics center, completely reimagined and rebuilt the indoor pool and opened a brand-new full-service facility. These efforts significantly expanded our capacity to serve the community and allowed us to better fulfill our mission. It was a transformational project that had a lasting impact on thousands of kids, families and adults.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other recreation professionals might benefit from?
Leadership starts with who you hire and how you empower them. Building the right team shapes your culture and the best results come when people are trusted, supported and connected to a clear sense of purpose. I believe in leading by example, creating an environment where staff feel ownership through autonomy, mastery and meaning in their work. Starting with “why” helps us stay grounded in our mission and reminds us we’re here to serve. Recreation departments thrive when leaders act as connectors and collaborators across campus.
6. What is one fun fact about yourself that others may not know?
I met my wife in a lifeguard training class over 25 years ago. We were lifeguards together and now both of our teenage sons are lifeguards as well. It’s been fun to see our family’s connection to aquatics come full circle.
