CENTERS, LLC

05/20/2026

What if student employment became one of the most valuable leadership pipelines on campus? In this month’s CENTERS Solutions newsletter, we explore how student employment can move beyond staffing and become a strategic advantage for institutions focused on career readiness, operational excellence, and workforce development. From onboarding innovation at Harper College to large-scale commencement operations at Cleveland State University, this issue highlights how students are gaining real-world leadership experience while campus teams strengthen service delivery, accountability, and daily operations.

This issue highlights:
- Student Employment as a Strategy for Career Readiness
- Student-led onboarding innovation at Harper College
- Commencement operations at Cleveland State University
- CENTERS leaders discussing AI and the future of campus recreation at NIRSA

The strongest student employment programs do more than fill shifts. They develop adaptable professionals, strengthen operations, and create experiences that leave a lasting impact long after graduation. https://go.centersusa.com/webmail/1113362/1180857603/f3b017d5df2006add8f1f798fee7d458ce38667dbc57602ec50246438a343e4d

05/15/2026

05/05/2026

CENTERS Impact is live. When the operating model is aligned, teams execute with clarity, service strengthens, and outcomes follow. Campus center performance is not a reflection of individual capability. It reflects the strength and cohesion of the model that supports it. When alignment across structure, staffing, and support begins to erode, the impact is immediate. Capacity is strained, consistency declines, and performance levels off. Even the strongest teams cannot sustain results without the right operational foundation. This edition examines how institutions are evolving their approaches, strengthening team structures, integrating operations, and designing support systems to drive long-term.

https://go.centersusa.com/webmail/1113362/1172723491/f3b017d5df2006add8f1f798fee7d458ce38667dbc57602ec50246438a343e4d

05/01/2026

Check out the Campus Rec Magazine article featuring CENTERS, LLC leader Michele Muth, MBA on building revenue strategies beyond student fees.

Tips for diversifying campus rec profit centers and what other departments can learn from their approaches.

04/22/2026

Join CENTERS at Jax State Rec as a Graduate Assistant, Adventure Recreation and help deliver high-quality, student-focused outdoor experiences. In this role, you’ll support the planning and ex*****on of trips, programs, and clinics while building skills in leadership, risk management, and operations. You’ll work alongside a professional team, support student staff, and contribute to an environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.

At CENTERS, we’re committed to elevating the student experience and developing future leaders in campus recreation. Make an impact. Build your future. Lead the adventure. Learn more: https://careers-centersusa.icims.com/jobs/3087/graduate-assistant---adventure-recreation/job

04/19/2026

Back from NIRSA 2026 Annual Conference at the Ga***rd National Harbor and energized by the momentum shaping the future of campus recreation. Thank you to everyone who connected with our team, attended sessions, and engaged in meaningful conversations throughout the week. The exchange of ideas and perspectives continues to elevate our industry.

We are proud of our CENTERS, LLC team who represented this work on stage, Scott Vandermoon, Maureen “Moe” McGonagle, JoAnna Prociuk, Nicholas Froelich, Michele Muth, Matt Schmiedl, and Samantha Glennon. Their sessions reflected what defines CENTERS, innovation in action, operational excellence, and leadership grounded in real-world impact. NIRSA reinforces what is possible when innovation, intention, and ex*****on align. At CENTERS, that means advancing the industry, creating exceptional student employment experiences, and building career pathways for professionals who want to grow, lead, and make an impact.

Grateful for the connections, the conversations, and the continued momentum. We look forward to seeing all of you next year.

04/10/2026

NIRSA Attendees, this morning, April 10, 9:40 – 10:35 AM, Ga***rd National Harbor, Samantha Glennon, Associate Director of Membership, Marketing, and Programs with CENTERS, LLC at DePaul University, is leading a session, Difficult Conversations: Practice Makes Better, focused on one of the most essential and often avoided leadership skills, navigating tough conversations with clarity and confidence.

Difficult conversations are a constant in any workplace, but how they are handled defines team culture, trust, and performance. This session introduces a structured, practical approach to leading these moments with intention, using the CLEAR framework to bring calmness, empathy, and accountability into every interaction. Grounded in real-world application, this session equips leaders with the tools to move from avoidance to action, turning challenging conversations into opportunities for alignment, growth, and stronger team dynamics.

Key takeaways include:
- A clear framework to confidently initiate and navigate difficult conversations
- Practical strategies to address conflict, feedback, mental health, and development in a constructive way
- Leadership approaches that build trust, accountability, and stronger team cohesion

This is not just about having hard conversations. It is about leading through them in a way that strengthens people, performance, and culture.

04/09/2026

NIRSA Attendees, tomorrow morning, April 10, 10:45 – 11:40 AM, Ga***rd National Harbor, Joanna Prociuk, alongside Nick Froelich, Michele Muth, MBA, and Matthew Schmiedl, is leading a session, Recreation Rewired: A Multi-Campus Perspective on AI in Campus Rec, bringing a forward-looking, multi-institutional perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping campus recreation. Campus recreation is evolving, and AI is quickly becoming part of that transformation. This session explores how leaders across multiple institutions are approaching AI with intention, focusing on what it takes to implement it responsibly, equitably, and at scale.

Grounded in real-world application, this conversation will walk through how teams are building cross-campus roadmaps, from readiness assessments and staff training to pilot programs and ethical frameworks, all while maintaining the human connection that defines the campus experience.

Key takeaways include:
- How to navigate ethical, equity, and privacy considerations when integrating AI into campus recreation
- Strategies to prepare teams for adoption through training, change management, and organizational alignment
- Scalable, low-risk use cases that enhance operations while preserving quality and connection

This is about understanding what responsible, strategic AI adoption looks like in practice and what it means for the future of campus recreation.

04/09/2026

NIRSA Attendees, this morning, April 9, 8:00 – 8:55 AM, Ga***rd National Harbor, Maureen McGonagle, Senior Consultant with CENTERS, LLC, is leading a session, It’s About Time, focused on one of the most critical drivers of leadership effectiveness, how Time is prioritized, structured, and executed. In fast-paced campus environments where competing priorities are constant, the ability to operate with clarity and intention is what separates reactive teams from high-performing ones. This session reframes time management as a leadership discipline, showing how leaders can align their Time with outcomes, strengthen decision-making, and build more focused, accountable teams.

Key takeaways include:
- A structured approach to prioritization that aligns daily ex*****on with broader goals
- Proven planning strategies to increase efficiency and reduce reactive work
- A clear, actionable framework to improve time utilization at both the individual and team level

More than a productivity session, this is about leading with intention and ensuring that how Time is spent directly supports impact.

04/08/2026

NIRSA Attendees, tomorrow morning, April 9, 8:00 – 8:55 AM, Ga***rd National Harbor, Scott Vandermoon, Director of Campus Recreation with CENTERS at DePaul University, is leading a session, Beyond the Campus Walls: Building Stronger Camps in University Partnerships brings a real-world, experience-driven perspective to one of the most complex and evolving areas in campus recreation, partnerships between camps and higher education institutions.

Joined by co-speaker Mark Greenburg, this session goes beyond surface-level conversation and into what it actually takes to make these partnerships work. From candid insights on what succeeds and what falls short, to the operational, legal, and reputational realities that shape long-term outcomes, this is a conversation grounded in experience and ex*****on. You will walk away with practical tools and frameworks designed to help you navigate complexity without sacrificing program quality. The session focuses on strengthening staff training, aligning teams, and managing external partnerships effectively, while keeping stakeholders clear and accountable.

Blending the people side of leadership with the realities of institutional collaboration, this session equips you to lead with confidence in environments that demand both structure and adaptability. As partnerships continue to expand across campus life, the ability to build, manage, and sustain them effectively is essential. Strong partnerships are not accidental. They are built through intentional leadership, aligned operations, and a commitment to doing the work the right way.