SIUE’s Rosales-Hawkins Receives NIRSA Professional Scholarship
The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Foundation awarded a professional registration scholarship to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant Director of Recreational Programs Natalie Rosales-Hawkins to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo in a virtual format.
“NIRSA was excited to bring the latest campus recreation topics, research and speakers directly to its participants,” said Rosales-Hawkins, who joined SIUE Campus Recreation in October 2012. “As a participant, I was able to attend live speaker presentations and events, access on-demand sessions, attend networking sessions and virtually tour new facilities from across the country. The experience for NIRSA 2021 virtual conference was accessible and easy to navigate.”
A San Antonio, Texas native, Rosales-Hawkins was appreciative of the scholarship that allowed her to stay connected with emerging trends in campus recreation and network with longtime colleagues. “It was refreshing to see familiar faces, engage in dialogue during the “Latinx Caucus Social,” and know there are extraordinary professionals in our field nationwide who continue to provide programs and services to students,” she said.
Rosales-Hawkins wanted to learn more about the changing future of campus recreation in the current and post-pandemic world of higher education. “I attended ‘The Mental and Physical Resiliency Benefits of Campus Rec Participation during COVID,’ session,” she said. “The learning objectives included the supported evidence of the beneficial role of campus recreation offerings on mental health. It also included the trends and outcomes of COVID-19 related closures on students’ mental health and how effective marketing strategies can assist targeting efforts that support engagement in campus recreation initiatives.”
“Throughout her tenure with Campus Recreation, Natalie has taken great pride in staying current on emerging trends, topics and best practices in our profession to serve our students,” said Director of Campus Recreation Keith Becherer. “Earning this scholarship speaks volumes about her accomplishments and desire to take advantage of professional development opportunities to help our department stay at the forefront of our industry, so we can continue to best serve the entire SIUE community.”
Photo: SIUE Assistant Director of Recreational Programs Natalie Rosales-Hawkins.
