By Sadat Khan, Recreation and Wellness Program Strategist, Associate at Kahler Slater
With inclusive and impactful programs and services, collegiate recreation departments across the country are uniquely positioned to be a strategic asset for student success. These spaces provide value to the student experience by serving as social hubs and “third places” for student activity and engagement. Sadat Khan, Recreation & Wellness Program Strategist at Kahler Slater conducted interviews with several leaders in collegiate recreation to better understand the challenges their departments are facing and what they are doing to add value to the student experience and student retention efforts.
Riley Feiner, Graduate Assistant at The Ohio State University Recreational Sports and NIRSA Student Leader (term ends in May)
Scott Flickinger, Director at SUNY Cortland Campus Recreation and NIRSA Member Network Chair (term ends in May)
Jerrod Jackson, Director at University of Missouri Recreation
Role of the campus recreation center
As campus recreation embraces wellness and improvements in the overall quality of life for their communities, it is no mistake that recreation centers have become the third place for many students. These facilities have become far more than a “gym” and shift more to become a campus social hub — where cultures intersect, friends are made, and routines are forged. While students take the important steps to achieving their degrees, recreation centers have become inclusive spaces that create neutral ground, encourage informal connection, and provide a home away from home. Ultimately, they strive to make students feel welcome, wanted, and comfortable. Feiner stated emphatically about her time as an undergraduate student employee, “campus recreation is truly one of those places where you don’t just find your coworkers, you find a family.” At Mizzou, Jackson believes that students “really find that sense of belonging and community” within their facilities and programs. “We try to be a place for everyone. So, no matter your fitness level, no matter your interest, we want to be that place for them,” Jackson shared, further emphasizing campus recreation as an important piece of the retention puzzle.
Physical space and the student experience
So, what are the spaces that are drawing in students and helping them find community? Our experts shared multiple examples that are happening in their facilities
Designing for inclusivity
One of the most important aspects of creating a third place in a student’s daily life is to ensure the spaces are welcoming and inviting to all. Feiner shared that utilizing the rec center for the first time can be intimidating for some and it is important for students to be able to see themselves in the space. One way many campus recreation centers are creating this experience for students is through the inclusion and design of all-gender or family locker rooms. These spaces take what once was a communal, gender-specific experience and turn them into an individua- focused space. With smart phones and cameras in everyone’s hands (and sometimes, unfortunately being users in locker rooms) these lockable spaces allow for everyone to attain privacy when changing, showering, or using the restroom. With rental locker sales at many institutions trending down, these spaces can create far more efficient use of space that is welcoming to all, meets the demand, and are easier to maintain. Individual restrooms or showers can easily be shut down for service or repair without impact to the entire footprint, allowing for shorter downtimes and more access for all.
Designing for shifting trends
Another key space within recreation centers aligns with top industry trends: strength is the new king. As one of the ACSM top 5 trends, strength training has seen a resurgence of popularity due to post-pandemic habit changes and awareness of health benefits from this modality - outpacing demands for cardio specific spaces. “People just flock to the functional training room; it’s packed all the time,” Flickinger noted. At SUNY Cortland, their functional space, complete with turf and space for body weight exercises have been a surprise hit. Last year at Mizzou, the recreation department opened a newly renovated outdoor fitness over an underutilized and filled-in outdoor pool. “It’s way more popular than I would have thought.” The ability to connect to fresh air and sunshine for workouts is on the rise not only on college campus, but in the private sector as well. These spaces are known to create multiple benefits including mental health boosts, improved mood, and vitamin D exposure and production. Outdoor fitness can be an effective and lower cost strategy to have seasonal spaces available to students for this highly popular activity.
Designing for operational efficiency
Branding and environmental graphics can go a long way to making recreation centers more welcoming. For Mizzou, there is an additional purpose: recruitment. “We are a fixture on the campus tour route, they all come through our building. We make sure that students get information through the tour route [through graphics and marketing],” Jackson shared. Graphics and branding that integrates a university logo also creates instant affinity to campus. On football gamedays, the recreation fields are usually part of the aerial views of campus on live TV, Jackson ensured there were logos on the field so students could recognize them as a place for them to play. While wayfinding and branding may feel like an inconsequential aspect of the overall facility design, effective signage can help create a cohesive user experience. Intuitive signage can help reduce customer confusion, allowing them to freely locate the spaces they are looking for while also decreasing repetitive questions for staff. User centric signage pays dividends during emergency situations to direct individuals to safety and for ease of navigation for ADA accessibility.
Building belonging through recreation
As higher education navigates ever-evolving challenges, campus recreation stands out as more than a fitness amenity, it is a catalyst for connection, resilience, and student success. These spaces foster belonging, promote holistic well-being, and create communities where students feel seen and supported. In an era where enrollment and retention are critical, recreation centers offer a tangible demonstration of a university’s commitment to its students’ physical, mental, and social health. By embracing trends, inclusivity, collaboration, and most importantly, listening to what students want campus recreation can transform from a “nice-to-have” into a strategic driver of institutional vitality. When students find their third place, a space to recharge, connect, and thrive, they are more likely to stay, succeed, and graduate. And that is a win for everyone.
Now is the time for campus leaders to act. Start by asking: How can our recreation spaces better reflect the needs and aspirations of today’s students? Engage your students, audit your facilities, and build partnerships across campus. Every investment in recreation and well-being is an investment in belonging—and belonging is the foundation of retention and success. Let’s create campuses where students don’t just enroll—they flourish.
