Member Town Hall

Pam Watts is the Executive Director for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, which comprises over 3,250 members on nearly 900 campuses throughout the United States and Canada. A former CPA, Pam joined NIRSA in 2000 and in her tenure with the Association she served primarily as NIRSA's second-in-command until assuming the Executive Directorship in early 2012. She works closely with the NIRSA, NIRSA Foundation, and NIRSA Services Corporation Boards of Directors to actuate the aligned strategic plan of all three entities in service to members. 

Pam is a Certified Association Executive and in her role as NIRSA’s Executive Director she served as the Chair of the Council for Higher Education Management Association’s Steering Committee; as a member of the American Council on Exercise’s Industry Advisory Panel; and on the Advisory Council for the Healthy Campus Initiative in the University of California System.  She currently serves as President of the Physical Activity Alliance, on the Advisory Board for the Institute for Wellbeing at Butler University and is Vice-President of the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification Board of Directors. 

Lashica Thomas is serving as the NIRSA Board President for the 2025-2026 NIRSA leadership year and is currently the Director of Campus Recreation at Columbus State University in Georgia, part of NIRSA Region II. She first joined NIRSA in 2003 and throughout her career she's been involved with the Association through many different volunteer roles during her two decades of membership with this historic association!

Lashica's tenure on the NIRSA Board began in 2023, shortly after members elected her to serve on the Presidential Track—a three-year commitment—and will culminate in this capstone year of service. As your NIRSA President, Lashica will be sharing periodic insights about the direction and impact of our profession. She was recognized in 2019 for her role in building a diverse and inclusive culture in our Association by fostering equality of opportunity, encouraging diverse perspectives, and creating a welcoming and supportive climate when she received the Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award.