Rec the Plan: Building a Strategic Business Plan in Campus Recreation

Brian Smith is an accomplished leader in collegiate recreation, currently serving as the Senior Director of Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this capacity, he sets the strategic direction for a department focused on holistic health and wellness, leveraging recreation to enhance student well-being and academic success. Brian manages a $12+ million annual budget and oversees a massive infrastructure including a 300,000+ sq. ft. facility, an Olympic swimming pool, and multiple acres of athletic fields and courts.

With an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University, Brian brings a sharp business-oriented approach to student engagement. His tenure at Georgia Tech has been marked by significant growth, including a $5 million budget increase through strategic revenue generation and the successful delivery of $6 million in capital projects, such as a new Esports lounge and Athletic Training Center.

Beyond his campus role, Brian is a prominent voice in the national recreation landscape. He currently serves as a Director on the NIRSA Foundation Board and has previously held leadership roles on the NIRSA Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, he spent over a decade at UCLA, where he secured nearly $1 million in grant funding and managed facilities, diverse competitive sports, and experiential programs. Brian also holds a B.S. in Leisure Sport Management from Elon University.

Donald brings extensive experience in campus recreation, with a professional background that includes facility and project management, strategic planning, capital project execution, and long-term financial planning across facilities, events, aquatics, and membership services. He has successfully managed budgets, developed operational policies, and aligned departmental goals with institutional priorities—core competencies that directly inform the business planning simulation proposed for this session. 

Donald has presented educational content in both academic and professional settings. He has facilitated leadership development series for students and served as an adjunct instructor at Loyola Marymount University’s Seaver College of Science and Engineering and Chapman University’s Attallah College of Education, where he taught courses in leadership and personal health. His involvement with NIRSA includes service on multiple committees and work teams, most recently as a member of the NIRSA Assembly and the 2026 Region II Program Committee. These roles reflect his commitment to professional development and advancing the field of campus recreation.