The Final Exam is your chance to get to know leaders in the industry. For the March/April 2025 issue, Campus Rec Magazine spoke with Chris Suriano, the director of Wellness & Health Promotion at the University of North Dakota.
1. How did you get started in the industry?
While in college, I was a fitness trainer at the local YMCA. I saw the value and benefit that physical activity had on one’s health, which ignited my desire to help others overcome barriers to achieving improved health. I thought a career in a community health setting would be fulfilling and pursued an education to align with a career in this field. I was hired by the YMCA out of graduate school and worked in a variety of progressive leadership roles in that organization. I started as a fitness program director and was promoted over time to an executive director position. I concluded my career in the YMCA as a chief operations officer, then moved to work in wellness and recreation in higher education. I worked at North Dakota State University for nearly nine years. I’ve served as the director of Wellness & Health Promotion at the University of North Dakota for the past seven years.
2. How would you go about describing campus recreation at the University of North Dakota?
At the University of North Dakota, we believe recreation contributes to student success and the development of the whole student through the physical dimension of wellness. Recreation enhances a student’s personal wellness, elevates their state of well-being and supports their success in the classroom and in life.
3. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career?
Leading and managing through the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was very challenging. This was such a dynamic time, where our team had to be ready to respond to rapid changes on a daily and weekly basis. The community health emergency was the challenge, but my team was the remedy. Our department team of full-time professionals and student employees were invaluable for overcoming everything that was thrown our way, allowing us to safely reopen and operate our facility in August 2020, just five months after our university shut down. Being able to provide a place for our campus community to move, breathe, play and connect during this challenging time was very important to the well-being of our campus community.
4. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
One of the biggest accomplishments in my career was receiving a letter from a graduating student employee. The letter stated I had made a positive impact on them during their time as a student at the university. The letter affirmed the daily work we do in campus recreation is centered around building people up. Upon reflection, I felt like I hadn’t done anything extraordinary to make an impact on that student. I simply was always present, listened closely and encouraged when needed. I modeled some inherent values of honestly, respect and kindness, all of which are things anyone can do. The letter serves as a constant reminder that every moment is an opportunity to make a difference for someone.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other recreation professionals might benefit from?
Even though we face all kinds of challenges in this work — staffing, financial, etc. — I’m constantly reminded our work has everlasting effects. I think of the work we do as purpose-driven and people building. So don’t ever lose sight of the fact we have an opportunity to lead daily with values and the purpose to improve the lives of the people we serve.
6. What is one fun fact about yourself others may not know?
As a youth, I was an avid skateboarder. Nowadays, my excitement comes from spending time with my family and baking loaves of sourdough bread
