Filled in Record Time!
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.
About the 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.
Cohorts will meet once a month for one year, starting in September, and there will be a maximum of 10 participants per cohort with the exception of two separate cohorts for Leadership & Mid-Level Management. In response to member feedback, six broad topics have been pre-selected. Members of each cohort have the ability to narrow down more specifics that they’d like to focus on during the year.
Leadership & Mid-Level Management
Support and strategy for navigating the complexities of leadership at all levels.
Student Development & Supervision
Innovative ways to guide, inspire, and develop student employees.
Fitness & Group Exercise
Creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches to fitness programming.
Operations & Facility Management
Sharpen your skills in managing spaces, resources, and operations.
Marketing, Programming & Revenue Generation
Engaging your campus while staying mission-aligned and financially sustainable.
Intramurals & Sport Clubs
Create vibrant, safe, and sustainable sport programs that students love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why join the NIRSA Cohort Collective?
NIRSA members consistently share how valuable it is to learn and connect directly with peers, this is feedback we especially receive when roundtables are hosted. The Cohort Collective has been designed to allow for conversations to reach deeper value, offering consistent, meaningful interaction and support to help advance your professional goals.
Who will I meet?
A mix of campus rec pros—just like you! Folks at different levels and from different places, all eager to swap ideas, share wins (and challenges), and grow together. Each group also has a NIRSA staff liaison to help things run smoothly, but the energy comes from you and your peers.
When is my first meeting?
Your NIRSA Staff liaison should reach out via email to schedule your first meeting. From there, they'll coordinate future meetings and set up a time that works for everybody.
Do I need to prep?
Nope! Just show up, be present, and be ready to chat. The first meeting is about getting to know each other, surfacing interests, and seeing who might want to co-facilitate down the road.
What about later meetings?
Some light reflection or prep may help, especially if you or another member is co-facilitating. Co-facilitators draft the agenda and guide discussion, with staff ready to support if needed.
What’s the time commitment?
Twelve monthly sessions (Sept 2025–Sept 2026), each 60–90 minutes. If you facilitate, you’ll spend a bit more time shaping the conversation. And we encourage you to stay connected between sessions too!
How are topics chosen?
We’ll start with themes you all identified in the interest form, but if your group wants to take a different path—go for it!
Are sessions virtual?
Yes—all online, so you can join from anywhere.
More questions?
Email us at nirsa.education@nirsa.org.
Registration Details
Member Type | Cost |
Institutional Member | $0 |
Professional Member | $49 |
Student Member | $49 |
Professional Nonmember | $99 |
Student Nonmember | $99 |