PULLMAN, Wash. – Kathleen Hatch, assistant vice president for Campus Life and executive director of University Recreation & Wellbeing at Washington State University, will be inaugurated as president of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation at the national conference in Las Vegas, March 4-7.She is the first from WSU and the first Canadian to serve as president of the organization.
Hatch’s approach to recreational sports focuses on leadership and wellbeing. With 25 years of service to NIRSA, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this year’s conference, “Inspiring Communities of Wellbeing.” This year also marks the organization’s celebration of 100 years of collegiate recreation.
“Kathleen has established a standard of excellence in recreation for WSU and is a visionary leader in her profession,” said John Fraire, vice president, Student Affairs & Enrollment.
Hatch will continue to serve in her WSU roles. Last week, the WSU Student Recreation Center celebrated its 12th anniversary and it is projected to see its 8 millionth visitor in the coming week.
“It is a very exciting time to serve our profession and be part of a strategic board impacting healthy individuals and healthy communities,” said Hatch. “Our role on campus mirrors what we are hoping to inspire on an international scale in NIRSA.”
NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation is the leading resource for professional and student development, education and research in collegiate recreational sports. Since NIRSA’s foundation in 1950, membership has grown to nearly 4,000 dedicated professionals, students and businesses serving an estimated 7.7 million students.