Meet Campus Rec! The Campus Rec Center is a hub on the campus for students to meet, exercise and learn ways to de-stress in the midst of a busy semester. Take a moment to learn about the many programs they offer and how they function within the Division of Student Affairs.

Please outline the organizational make-up of your department.  We employ over 200 undergraduate students and 5 Graduate Assistants that work within our 6 functional units (Aquatics and Risk Management, Outdoor Adventures, Fitness and Wellness, Rec Sports, Facilities and Operations, and Marketing and Outreach).

Each programming and facility unit is led by our team consisting of Administrative Assistant (1) Assistant Directors (6), Associate Directors (2) and Director of Campus Recreation. We also employ a General Mechanic, and HVAC technician and 2 full-time custodians. It is an all-hands-on deck unit to keep the Foster Recreation Center and programs thriving.

Briefly describe the top three functions of your department.

Physical Fitness and Wellness: Providing opportunities for MSU (Missouri State University) community members to engage in physical activities that promote health and well-being. This can include fitness classes, sports leagues, outdoor recreation, wellness programs and more.

Student Development: Offering leadership, teamwork, and personal development opportunities through programs, workshops, and experiences related to recreation and wellness. This can include leadership training, team-building activities, and skill development workshops.

Community Impact and Healthy Habit Exploration: Engaging with the broader community to promote health and wellness through outreach programs, community events, and partnerships. This can include offering health education workshops, collaborating with local organizations on wellness initiatives, and providing resources for students to explore and adopt healthy habits both on and off campus.

What is one thing that you want the campus community to know about your department and why? Campus Recreation offers so much more than just a campus gym. There are so many opportunities to engage with our MSU community and the larger Springfield area. Through experiences like our Outdoor Adventure trips, BearFit classes, multiple Rec Sport leagues, safety training, and our amazing pool. There is always something to be a part of each semester. Healthy, active events that everyone is encouraged and welcome to participate in.

What are ways others can collaborate with your department?  We have a huge, dynamic space that can facilitate any event. The FRC is great for birthday parties, but it can also be used for banquets, presentations, practices, or anything you can think of.The FRC welcomes any opportunity to develop events that support our mission. We have partnered with Academics, Athletics, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Activities Council, and Admissions for many activities including employment fairs, athletic practices, dance camps, class space and more. We connect with the Springfield community by allowing outside organizations groups like the Springfield Public Schools and Missouri Special Olympics. Each with unique requirements and resources. We are always up for a new challenge so that our team can rise to the occasion.

How is your department Champions for Student Success? We live by our mission “We are a community dedicated to providing opportunities for recreation and wellness that develop healthy and engaged citizens.” A perfect example of this is how we create a welcoming and supportive work environment that allows our student staff to enjoy their time at work. Our department is defined by our student staff’s dedication to campus recreation and their personal and professional development. Through their commitment, they provide a safe, welcoming, and fun place for our members to stay engaged on the MSU campus.

By offering various engaging activities it allows our students to partake in campus recreation and have the chance to develop better habits that foster success. Through exercise, competition, community, play, teamwork, and new experiences Campus Recreation is pivotal in creating individuals who strive to achieve their goals. We strive to give everyone the opportunity to come to the rec center to experience a current or possible new pastime, activity, or interest to help people find new motivations to grow a richer life.