The Final Exam is your chance to get to know leaders in the industry. For the January/February 2025 issue, Campus Rec Magazine spoke with Lynne Thompson, the senior director of Recreation and Wellbeing at the University of Illinois Chicago.
1. How did you get started in the campus rec industry?
As an undergrad, I found community and balance by participating in group fitness classes. One day, a student instructor complimented my form and asked if I’d ever thought about becoming an instructor. That single question changed my entire career path, leading to a graduate assistantship in campus recreation and my first professional position: a fitness coordinator at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. That was over 20 years ago and I now serve as the senior director at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
2. How would you go about describing campus recreation at UIC?
We’re a traditional campus recreation department that’s now part of the newly formed Division of Student Health and Wellbeing. Our mission is to be a welcoming community that promotes active lifestyles, enhances well-being and contributes to student success. To better reflect our role and align with our campus partners, we’re renaming our department to Recreation and Wellbeing. This change will help highlight our commitment to supporting overall well-being and ensure we’re recognized for the impactful work we do in this area.
3. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career?
One of the biggest challenges I face daily is leading in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, many students are entering college unprepared, often lacking communication, problem-solving and other soft skills. Balancing accountability with empathy, especially with rising mental health concerns, has become a constant effort. I’m continuously working to create a psychologically safe environment while making a positive impact on both students and staff. Leading and mentoring this generation requires ongoing adaptation, and I’m still finding ways to navigate these evolving needs.
4. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?
One of the biggest accomplishments of my career has been leading UIC Campus Recreation through a period of significant transformation between 2022 and 2024. During this time, we transitioned to the new Student Health and Wellness unit, integrated departments that hadn’t traditionally worked together and adopted a new software management system. Despite operating with one-third fewer staff, we completed a comprehensive program review, and I rebuilt our team by adding eight full-time staff, expanding to 20 total. Navigating HR delays and university-wide leadership transitions, I’m proud of how we overcame these challenges. Now, I’m excited to mentor this new team and look forward to future successes.
5. What is one lesson you have learned that other recreation professionals might benefit from?
I’ve learned the critical importance of fostering a psychologically safe culture. Create an environment where staff feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment. This culture not only boosts morale but also leads to innovation as staff feel safe taking risks and problem-solving together.
6. What is one fun fact about yourself others may not know?
I always find these questions tough to answer. I’m just a regular person who loves my family deeply. I have two wonderful children and three amazing grandchildren who bring me so much joy. I’m passionate about reading, golfing, staying active and finding ways to improve myself every day. I try to approach life with gratitude and aim to always be the best version of myself.
