Hello Region V!
We hope your summer has been full of energy, connection, and maybe even some well-deserved rest. As we move into a new semester, we're excited to bring you the August edition of the Region V Newsletter!

This month's issue highlights the incredible people, programs, and opportunities shaping our region. You'll meet our Region V Student Leader, Caitlin Hoh, and your new Region V Representative, Lauren Brown. You'll also find information about upcoming state workshops, student leadership opportunities, and ways to stay connected with the wider NIRSA community.

Region V continues to grow because of the creativity, leadership, and collaboration of members like you. Whether you're planning a new program, supporting students on your campus, or connecting with peers across the region, know that your work makes an impact.

We look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming state workshops and can't wait to spotlight more of the great things happening across Region V!

– Region V Leadership Team

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Region V Rec Happenings
Share What's Happening in Region V at your campus! We want to spotlight the amazing work happening across our Region V recreation departments! Whether it's a new program, staff highlight, event, or student story, we'd love to hear from you. Submissions may be featured on Region V Instagram or the monthly blog.
Region V Rec Happenings: Share What's Going On at Your Campus!

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Meet Your Leaders
Caitlin Hoh | Region V Student Leader
Hi Region V! My name is Caitlin Hoh and I am your Region V Student Leader for this year! I'm currently a graduate student at the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) as well as a student manager in the Welcome Desk/Operations and Competitive Sports departments at UMD's recreation center (RSOP).I am from Colorado, but I moved to Minnesota 5 years ago for college. I am currently a Master's student studying Environmental Health and Safety. I was the NIRSA Minnesota State Student Representative last year and I am super excited to be the Region V Student Leader this year! I have been working within campus recreation since my freshman year.

Some of my hobbies include hiking, rock climbing, road trips, snowboarding, and pretty much anything else outside! I'm super excited to be your Region V Student Leader! Please reach out to me if you have any questions about NIRSA or campus recreation!

Lauren Brown | Region V Representative
Hi Region V! I'm Lauren Brown (they/she), and I'm honored to serve as your new Region V Representative. I'm currently the Director of Student Recreation at Red Rocks Community College in Colorado, where I've had the pleasure of working with an incredible team to grow student engagement, wellness, and leadership through campus recreation.

I've been involved with NIRSA for several years now, and what keeps me inspired is the community of passionate professionals and students that make up this Region. I'm especially excited to represent a region full of diverse campuses, voices, and ideas—and to create space for connection, collaboration, and continued growth.

Outside of work, you'll usually find me playing in various (gay) sports leagues, exploring the Colorado outdoors, or cuddling with my cat, Emmy, and pup, Ollie.
Looking forward to serving, supporting, and learning with all of you this year!
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Student Leader Application Information
Now Accepting Applications for NIRSA Student State Leaders! Region V is looking for passionate student leaders to represent their state within NIRSA. This is a great opportunity for undergraduate or graduate students involved in campus recreation to build connections, develop leadership skills, and make an impact across the region. Great resume building opportunities as well!
👉 Apply here for NIRSA Student State Leader
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Upcoming Region V State Workshops

Colorado & Wyoming State Workshop!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 18 at the Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center in Laramie, WY! Connect with peers, learn new skills, and enjoy breakfast & lunch (optional social 4–6 PM).
Conference Information
📍 Half Acre Recreation & Wellness Center, Laramie, WY
📆 Thursday, September 18
⏰ Check-in: 9:00 AM | First Session: 10:00 AM
🍳 Breakfast & lunch included | Optional social 4–6 PM
📝 Register here! by September 12
💲 $50 professionals | $25 students
Presentation Proposal Applications accepted through September 1.

Contact
Joe Rademacher
Assistant Director, Programs
[email protected]
[email protected] | (307) 766-5586
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Nebraska and South Dakota State Workshop

Top Reasons to Attend:

  • Connect with Regional Leaders in Campus Recreation
  • Get an inside look at Kearney's newest recreation facilities
  • Recharge and reimagine your programs

Conference information:
📍 University of Nebraska Kearney
📆 Thursday, October 16
⏰ Check-in: 9:00 AM | First Session: 10:15 AM
🥪 Lunch provided | Optional social & dinner at 5:15 PM
📝 Register here! by September 25
💲 Cost: $30 members & non-members

Workshop Presentation Proposal
To help make this event successful we are seeking willing presenters to share their ideas via educational sessions during the workshop. If you are interested, presentation proposals can be submitted HERE and will be reviewed by a committee. If you have specific questions about presenting, please contact Chad Vossekuil at [email protected]. The deadline to submit a presentation proposal is September 12.

Contact
Andrew Winscot
Assistant Director of Campus Recreation
[email protected]
University of Nebraska at Kearney | unk.edu
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Check out the Notes from the Member Network!
Notes from the NIRSA Member Network

Help lead the association 
NIRSA is currently recruiting for leadership positions!  Are you interested in helping move the association forward?  Do you know someone who is a strong leader and wants to get more involved in NIRSA?  Take a few minutes to learn more about the NIRSA Member Network or the NIRSA Board of Directors and reach out to us with any questions you have.

NIRSA is recruiting for the following positions for the 2026-2027 leadership year:

  • Member Network Regional Representatives (Regions II, IV, and VI)
  • NIRSA Board of Directors – One Presidential Track position and one At-Large position

Applications for these positions are due September 12.
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NIRSA Cohort Collective

The NIRSA Cohort Collective is a member-driven learning experience designed to foster connection, community, and collective growth around key areas of campus recreation. Through small, topic-based groups, members will strengthen professional relationships, share knowledge and best practices, and collaborate on common challenges and goals.

Each cohort is supported with resources, structure, and tools from NIRSA—but it's the members who bring the energy, ideas, and expertise. Whether you're looking to deepen your network, work through shared challenges, or explore new strategies, the Cohort Collective is a space to grow together.

The pilot program for the NIRSA Cohort Collective filled in record time! If you missed out on a spot this round but are interested in future cohort opportunities or similar programs, please fill out this interest form.
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Stay connected with us on social media

NIRSA posts association information across a variety of platforms to help you stay connected. Follow us to keep up to date with everything NIRSA-related!

Follow the Student Leadership Team!
See what the Student Leadership Team is up to by following the NIRSA Students page on Instagram @nirsastudents and Facebook.
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Prepare for your next flag football season
The 22nd edition of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book is now available in both print and digital formats. A trusted resource since 1983, this book provides you with the rules changes, interpretations, and officials' mechanics you need to know to prepare for your next season!
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Learn more about NIRSA's Championship Series   
The NIRSA Championship Series gives college recreational sports participants an opportunity to compete, coordinate, officiate, and connect with skilled peers from other schools and take all the benefits of recreational competition to a higher level. Check out the Champ Series webpage for all tournament details and to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities!  It's a great way to get involved in your region.
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Upcoming NIRSA Events

There are scholarship opportunities available for many NIRSA events thanks to the generosity of the NIRSA Foundation!
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Thank you for being part of what makes Region V so special. We're excited to see the ways you continue to inspire and connect this fall!

With gratitude,
Your NIRSA Region V Leadership Team