As a graduate assistant, it is important to know where your experience with University Recreation can lead. University Recreation has prepared many students to become great leaders in their profession which does not only include recreational sports. Below is a sample of recent alumni and what they are doing now.
Paul Goobic
Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports, August 2013 – April 2015
Assistant Intramural Coordinator, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ
“My time as a GA at Western Michigan will always be a special part of my life. Living in New Jersey my whole life, it was a big risk to move half way across the country, but I couldn’t have asked for a better place to take that gamble. As a GA, you are treated as a professional staff member and the experiences and lessons I learned helped me be ready for the next step in my career. Everything from the students, campus, and city of Kalamazoo are a welcoming environment and gave me my second home for two years. I don’t know if many people get to say this, but working at WMU and the SRC was truly a place where I woke up excited to go to work. RTB!”
Brian Helsel
Graduate Assistant for Fitness and Wellness, August 2012 – April 2014
Healthy Living Director, YMCA of Greater Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC
“One of my favorite things about working at the Student Recreation Center was the teamwork and camaraderie among professional and student staff. I also appreciated the professional staff allowing graduate assistants to be involved in program design, budgeting, student employee supervision, and community initiatives directly or indirectly related to campus recreation. One of my greatest memories was when Jen and I went to present to retired faculty about health & wellness. My current role at the YMCA has given me multiple opportunities in the past year and a half to present on wellness related topics for our worksite wellness program. It greatly helped my transition into my professional role. I have been able to use what I learned at Western Michigan University to help further existing programs at our YMCA as well as develop new initiatives directly related to member retention and chronic disease prevention.”
Travis Potter
Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports, August 2012 – April 2014
Assistant Director of Intramural and Club Sports, Stetson University DeLand, FL
“After a long run at WMU, I'm happy to contribute my success and education to the people making the Student Recreation Center (SRC) happen. My experiences extended beyond the classroom into the life of a professional employee at which leading and developing students is top priority. The autonomy incorporating with each graduate assistantship provides the chance to be innovative with trainings, event planning, and strategic planning. A true opportunity to prepare yourself for the next chapter in your career. My growth from a student intramural sports official to being a graduate assistant, then into an Assistant Director role at a different school validates the knowledge to be gained within the SRC. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge forward to the students at Stetson University while, of course, remembering the memories made at WMU.”
Kelly Bosier
Graduate Assistant for Fitness and Wellness, August 2011 – April 2013
Wellness Consultant, Priority Health, Grand Rapids, MI
“I think one of the best experiences as a GA was getting the opportunity to work with a great team of people, to provide exceptional recreation for students and staff! Especially when we all joined forces to run large events like the Turkey Trot… which was my favorite! As a fitness GA, I loved being able to train students to be fitness instructors and watch them grow over the years. It has been rewarding to know that I helped in some small way to shape their future. With a wellness focus, I loved the opportunity to work with the faculty and staff, to provide them with information and opportunities to with their wellness and health journeys. This experience has been invaluable to my career as I have been able to pursue my passion for wellness and helping people.”
Jasmine Chatten
Graduate Assistant for Facilities and Student Development, August 2010 – April 2012
Assistant Director of Activities and Recreation Center, University of Washington Bothell, WA
“Working at the SRC gave me the opportunity to grow as a student and ultimately gave me the experience I needed to become a professional in collegiate recreation. Some of my favorite memories are working different events such as the Turkey Trot and Finals Finish with the SRC students. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the leadership and guidance the professional staff and students provided me… Go Broncos!”
Brandon Johnson
Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports, August 2010 – April 2012
Director of Intramurals, Club Sports, and Recreation, Pomona College Claremont, CA
“The experience I gained while a GA at WMU propelled me into the campus recreation profession. Given the full confidence of the professional staff, I was able to truly leave my stamp on the Intramural Sports program. It was this trust and willingness to improve that allowed me to grow both individually and professionally. WMU pushed me to challenge myself in ways I never expected both in and out of the classroom. Thanks to these challenges, I was 100% confident in myself and my abilities to become a successful professional. I will always cherish my time in Kzoo, at WMU, and specifically in my 'cave' at the SRC.”