CENTERS, LLC

03/31/2026

Greg Ross brings a grounded, ex*****on-focused perspective on how sustainability is actually embedded into campus recreation and wellness center operations. Not as a separate initiative, but as a fully integrated part of how facilities are managed, optimized, and improved over time. At CENTERS, LLC, this work is not conceptual. It is operational. With structured systems, enterprise alignment, and on-site leadership, we make sustainability measurable, repeatable, and scalable across campuses. Key elements that stand out:

- Sustainability is integrated across the full lifecycle, from design and construction through ongoing operations, not introduced after the fact
- Operational decisions are aligned with long-term institutional goals, connecting mission, performance, and resource stewardship
- Standardized systems and processes drive consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement across sites
- Data-informed decision making is used to monitor performance, optimize resources, and identify opportunities for efficiency
- Cross-functional coordination ensures sustainability is embedded in daily operations, not siloed within a single department
- Recreation and wellness centers serve as high-impact environments where operational strategy can directly influence energy use, waste reduction, and user experience

This is what defines the CENTERS model. It is not about isolated sustainability efforts. We build operational systems that naturally produce more efficient, high-performing, future-ready facilities. Greg Ross captures what this looks like in practice and why it matters for institutions thinking long term about performance, cost, and impact. If you are looking at how campus facilities can operate smarter, more efficiently, and with greater purpose, read more:

Discover 5 actionable ways Rec & Wellness Centers can reduce environmental impact and support campus sustainability goals.

03/25/2026

CENTERS is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with DoubleSpot, an innovative platform designed to streamline member management, program registrations, events, and facility operations across a variety of campus centers.

The partnership brings together CENTERS’ operational expertise across recreation and wellness centers and multi-use event facilities with DoubleSpot’s emerging technology and AI capabilities. The collaboration focuses on improving how colleges and universities manage and activate their spaces.

We are excited about the opportunity this partnership creates for our clients and campus communities.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/eAJ-5Tfq

📸 Back row L to R: Scott Vandermoon, Timothy Ward, Ashley Sims, Julie Ray, Ann Cook-Graver, Alex Rich, Erin Aguirre, and Michael Walsh

Front row L to R: Sean Chang, Veronica Tantoco, Samantha Glennon, Jana Terborg, Ryan Chen, and Matt Mendoza

03/24/2026

Back from the Innovations Conference with a clear signal on where campus life is heading and the role it will play in institutional success. Throughout the week in the Solutions Center, our team engaged with community college leaders who are not waiting for change; they are driving it, advancing scalable models, strengthening operational alignment, and elevating both the student experience and institutional performance. These conversations are not incremental; they are actively redefining how student life is structured, delivered, and sustained.

A defining moment of the conference was the session “Building Vibrant Student Life Through Strategic Partnerships: Leadership Lessons from Community College Campus Centers,” presented by Dr. Pamela J. Haney and Mike Schneider.

Our leaders, Mike Schneider and Jennifer Matune Smith, represented CENTERS, LLC throughout the conference, and their work continues to shape how institutions approach operations, partnerships, and the future of campus management. Their perspectives reinforce what we are seeing across the industry: intentional strategy and strong operational models turn vision into measurable impact.

Key themes:
- Community colleges are setting the pace for innovation across higher education
- Strategic partnerships are no longer optional; they are critical to expanding capacity and delivering measurable outcomes
- Student life environments are evolving into integrated, multi-functional ecosystems that support belonging, engagement, and long-term success
- The momentum is real. Institutions are thinking differently, acting intentionally, and prioritizing models that align mission with operational excellence.

We are proud to be part of the conversation and to support institutions as an operating partner in building the future of campus life.

03/23/2026

This month, CENTERS, LLC is celebrating 12 years of innovation, partnership, and measurable impact at. Moraine Valley Community College, MVCC FitRec.

For more than a decade, Moraine Valley Community College FitRec has stood as a model for what is possible when strategy, operations, and purpose align. This is not just a facility, it is a fully integrated ecosystem where campus recreation, academics, athletics, and community engagement come together to drive student success and institutional value. Year after year, the team has elevated performance through disciplined ex*****on, forward-thinking innovation, and a deep commitment to creating experiences that matter.

This milestone also aligns with Moraine Valley’s reaffirmation as a League for Innovation institution, reinforcing the strength of a campus culture grounded in progress, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As President Pamela J. Haney, Ph.D., shared: “This achievement is a direct result of your talent, expertise, and teamwork. I truly appreciate the time each of you put into making this happen. Your hard work did not go unnoticed. Thank you for your commitment and collaboration!” Twelve years in, the impact is clear. Stronger operations. Expanded opportunities. A more connected campus community. Congratulations to our team driving this work forward. The foundation is built, and the future continues to rise.

03/18/2026

CENTERS Solutions highlights the work behind the experience, bringing forward the operational excellence, expertise, and strategic alignment that power campus life facilities every day. Campus environments are often experienced as seamless. Events run with precision, spaces stay energized, and programs consistently connect students and the community. What is not always visible is the depth of operational strategy and ex*****on required to make that possible.

In this March edition, we take a closer look at the teams and systems driving performance across campus facilities. From recreation center event conversions to large-scale fundraising initiatives and the day-to-day coordination that keeps operations moving, these stories showcase the leadership, discipline, and innovation behind it all. This is where strategy meets ex*****on. This is how complexity becomes consistency. This is CENTERS in action.

Read the March edition here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Behind-the-Scenes-of-Campus-Life-Operations.html?soid=1140449747975&aid=n1Y2NyktE1Q

03/13/2026

At the Innovations Conference, taking place March 15–18, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana, leaders from across higher education will gather to explore ideas and strategies that advance student success and institutional excellence. Hosted by the League for Innovation in the Community College, the conference brings together educators and innovators committed to cultivating transformational change within community colleges and across institutions worldwide.

On Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EST, Pamela J. Haney, President of Moraine Valley Community College, and Mike Schneider, Assistant Vice President of Operations at CENTERS, LLC, will present Building Vibrant Student Life Through Strategic Partnerships. Drawing on Moraine Valley’s experience, they will share how strategic partnerships can help institutions expand and energize campus life while supporting broader institutional goals and strengthening the overall student experience.

If you are attending the conference, stop by the CENTERS table in the Solutions Center at Table 4 to connect with our team and continue the conversation around innovation, collaboration, and the future of student life.

03/12/2026

A great few days connecting with student affairs leaders from across the country at the NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Annual Conference, the premier professional development event for those shaping the future of the student experience. It was a strong week of conversations around leadership, belonging, campus operations, and the evolving role of student affairs in creating environments where students and communities thrive. Kim Martin and Matthew Schmiedl represented CENTERS, LLC throughout the conference, alongside Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc., connecting with leaders from institutions across the country and engaging in thoughtful dialogue about the future of campus life.

And congratulations to our YETI drawing winner, Andraelya Moody. Thank you to everyone who stopped by Booth 416 to connect with our team.

03/10/2026

Kim Martin and Matthew Schmiedl are representing CENTERS this week at the NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Annual Conference, engaging with student affairs leaders from across the country and contributing to important conversations shaping the future of campus life and the student experience. The NASPA Annual Conference is the premier professional development event for student affairs leaders, bringing together professionals from institutions around the world to share ideas, strengthen leadership, and advance the work happening across campuses.

CENTERS, LLC is also proud to be sponsoring the VPSA Lounge, creating space for connection and conversation among senior leaders throughout the conference. If you are attending, there is still one day left to enter the YETI drawing. Stop by Expo Booth 416 before Tuesday wraps up, we would love to connect.

03/08/2026

This weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, CENTERS is sponsoring the Leadership Team Dinner at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI). Joanna Prociuk is attending with other CENTERS team leaders engaging with campus leaders from across the country. ACUI brings together thousands of campus community builders focused on college unions and student activities, advancing spaces and programs that strengthen connection, belonging, and the student experience across campuses worldwide. We are excited to be here and to connect with colleagues across the field.

03/04/2026

Recruiting and retaining talented staff remains one of the biggest challenges facing campus recreation departments today. Rising living costs, evolving workplace expectations, and shifting applicant pools are forcing departments across the country to rethink how they attract and support their teams. In a recent feature, Campus Rec Magazine highlights innovative staffing strategies in campus recreation. Frank Wawrzyniak, MPH, Assistant Director of Membership and Fitness Center Operations at Harper College, shares how intentional leadership, creative recruitment, and a strong workplace culture can make a measurable difference.

Frank highlights how relationships and community connections play a powerful role in recruitment. From word-of-mouth within the facility to partnerships across campus and the broader CENTERS network, Harper College has built a pipeline that connects students and professionals to meaningful opportunities in campus recreation. But recruiting the right people is only the beginning. Frank emphasizes that retention starts with thoughtful onboarding and a culture built on flexibility, trust, and mutual support. By understanding the realities of student schedules, professional responsibilities, and life outside of work, teams can create environments where people feel valued and motivated to stay engaged.

He also reinforces the importance of building what he calls a “third place” culture, a space where students and staff feel welcomed beyond home and the classroom. When teams operate with respect and shared purpose, individuals can step up for one another and strengthen the entire department. Frank’s insights highlight an important truth for campus recreation leaders everywhere. Staffing is not just about filling positions. It is about developing people, investing in culture, and creating environments where teams can grow, contribute, and thrive.

Read the full article to explore the strategies being implemented at Harper College and the University of Arizona, and how these lessons can help shape the future of campus recreation staffing.

Campus recreation professionals share how flexibility and culture help attract and keep staff in a competitive environment.

02/24/2026

Higher education is being asked to deliver more impact with fewer resources, while student expectations around belonging, wellness, engagement, and service continue to rise. The institutions that will succeed are not simply adding new programs or building new spaces. They are rethinking how campus life operates as a connected system. That is why “Rethinking Campus Centers and Programs for Student Success” is such an important read for campus leaders right now. In this article, Kim Martin, CENTERS, LLC, alongside Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc., Laura Day Kane, Ph.D., and Andrea Heflin Becker, Ed.D, examine how integrated planning, intentional design, and operational strategy shape the modern student experience.

The article addresses challenges many campuses are actively navigating today:

- Facilities that no longer align with how students connect and engage
- Staffing limitations and budget pressures requiring smarter resource allocation
- Increasing demand for mental health and wellness support
- Competitive pressures are pushing institutions to deliver stronger experiences and operational efficiency

Rather than treating student centers, recreation, housing, and wellness as separate conversations, the authors emphasize enterprise-wide thinking grounded in mission alignment and strategic visioning. A key takeaway is the importance of defining a campus’ targeted new reality, then evaluating existing assets, identifying operational gaps, and aligning investments to outcomes that matter most. The article also explores how operating models, whether fee-based, facility-driven, program-driven, or hybrid approaches, directly influence financial sustainability, staffing strategy, and long-term success. This matters because transformation in higher education is rarely about doing more. It is about integrating what already exists with greater clarity, collaboration, and purpose. Strong and timely leadership insight from Kim, Laura, and Andrea, helping institutions rethink campus life as strategic infrastructure supporting student success at scale. Read the full article here:

Transform campus centers and programs into strategic assets for student success, engagement, and institutional impact.

02/20/2026

Joanna Prociuk, Assistant Vice President of Talent and Innovation at CENTERS, LLC, will present Leading Through Systems: How Structure Shapes Staff Success at the 2026 Emerging Recreational Sports Leadership Conference. Her session will take place in Dallas College’s Room H226 this morning at 10:05 AM CST.

In this session, Joanna will explore how intentional structure catalyzes staff performance, professional growth, and long-term organizational impact. Drawing from her expertise in talent development and systems design, she will examine how clarity, accountability, and repeatable processes create environments where individuals and teams can consistently succeed. Rather than relying solely on individual effort, the session emphasizes the power of thoughtful organizational frameworks that align mission, culture, and measurable outcomes.

Attendees will gain a high-level perspective on how structured leadership models strengthen staff development, enhance operational effectiveness, and position recreation professionals for sustainable success. The conversation reinforces a critical leadership insight: strong systems do not constrain performance; they elevate it.