Adam McClanahan Named a Student Leader for NIRSA Member Network

Utah State University student Adam McClanahan has been named a Region VI Student Leader for the 2020-21 NIRSA Leaders in Collegiate Recreation Member Network. NIRSA’s Student Leadership Team is a group of dedicated student members committed to collaboration, student advocacy, and leadership in the field of recreational sports.

“I was elected to this one-year long volunteer position in early 2020 and took over the role in May of 2020,” McClanahan said. “Region VI encompasses the entire West Coast including Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska. In this role I am happy to represent the student perspective and interest of those undergraduate and graduate level students in campus recreation as well as student members of our organization. It is my pleasure to serve NIRSA and continue to learn from NIRSA to enhance our offerings for students here at Utah State University.”

McClanahan, a Graduate Assistant of Competitive Sports, is one of just seven student leaders from across the nation who was selected to serve. This experience is designed to advance his knowledge, skills and networks to help solve some of the big challenges facing universities and leverage opportunities for student success at USU. McClanahan works with student leaders to provide initiatives for students, such as mentorship and conferences, as well as developing ideas for the betterment of the organization and students.

“The true joy that comes with this position is being able to help put on these events and see the grateful students who really took away valuable lessons that they will be able to use whether they choose to pursue a career in our field or take these transferable skills with this into whatever career they aspire to join,” he said.

The Student Leadership Team is a panel of Regional Student Leaders who coordinate between NIRSA leadership bodies and members in their geographical region, with an emphasis on communicating with and mobilizing student membership in that area. It is a panel that looks to train and educate the next generation of recreation sport leaders.

“Adam is a truly valued leader of our association,” said NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts. “We know that his contributions and volunteer service on the 2020-2021 Member Network will make an exemplary impact on both NIRSA and Utah State University.”

NIRSA is an international organization with over 850 member institutions across the globe that serve more than eight million students. Its mission is to advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellness by providing educational and developmental opportunities, generating and sharing knowledge, and promoting networking and growth for its members. Their belief is that participation in campus recreation programming can make for a healthier global community, instilling healthy habits in the lives of collegiate students that will continue once they have left school.

“As a higher education professional, Adam is committed to preparing students to lead healthy, flourishing, and productive lives, so that they can in turn contribute to a positive, vibrant, and sustainable society,” Watts added. “His volunteer service with NIRSA will benefit the broader campus recreation profession.”

For more information on NIRSA, visit https://nirsa.net. For more information on USU’s campus recreation, visit www.usu.edu/campusrec.