Dr. Wendy Winsor explores hidden talents and resilience in NIRSA

In a very special episode of the Hidden talents in NIRSA series, Dr. Wendy Windsor—who has a rare optic nerve condition—shares personal experiences and perspectives with her two guests: Allie Bogard, who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and David Grassi, whose condition of spina bifida has been apparent since birth. They in turn share their experiences and perspectives on resilience, challenges, and achieving with hidden and visible disabilities.

Meet Wendy’s guests

Allie is currently Assistant Director, Sport Clubs at Colorado State University. They are currently working at their second institution in Region V and have also held positions in campus recreation and wellbeing in Regions II and VI. Along with many volunteer roles in NIRSA, Allie played an instrumental role in shaping what’s become a celebrated internship program at the University of Oregon, along with one of their mentors, NIRSA Past President Kevin Marbury.

David is a Coordinator, Membership & Access at Washington State University. “From a young age, I was always told I can’t lead a normal life and couldn’t accomplish something that a ‘normal’ person could. This has allowed me to advocate for myself every day and lead a successful life,” he says. His career in campus recreation started in 2013 when he worked as the Member Services Manager at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where he also completed his master’s degree.

David went on to Washington University in St. Louis where he served as the Membership Specialist before taking up his current role, where he feels gratification every day in “helping students develop their personal and professional skills that they don’t receive in the classroom.”

Hidden talents in NIRSA

Wendy and both of her guests this month have disabilities and all three have worked hard to become distinguished leaders in the collegiate recreation profession. They share some of the challenges—like asking for reasonable accommodation—that they have faced during their educational and career journeys and exchange strategies for showing up as your authentic self.

They also share some of their hidden talents and interests. Find out who has a penchant for writing, who can bake, who has completed the Boston Marathon, who still likes to play sports competitively, and who has an interest in rocks and crystals.

Fearless vulnerability

With campus recreation, student affairs, and higher education all rapidly changing, fearless vulnerability is a technique that leaders in campus recreation can employ to continue progressing and advancing in the field.

Fearless vulnerability describes a mindset of not allowing fear, embarrassment, or shame hold you back from achieving your goals. Spend a few minutes this month with Allie, David, and Dr. Wendy Windsor to hear more about their stories, and to find out what inspires them to be authentic and bold leaders in our profession.