CAMPUS RECREATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer & Digital Content Creator
Andi is a junior Graphic Design major at West Virginia University with three minors: Photography, Advertising and Strategic Social Media. She spends a lot of my time outside and reading books or watching tv shows. Her love of nature has flourished greatly the past few years, especially on a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Competitive Sports
Job Titles:
- Director of Campus Recreation ( He / Him / His )
- Director of Campus Recreation at West Virginia University
Andy Darling has served as the Director of Campus Recreation at West Virginia University since the summer of 2015. Andy Darling received his Bachelors of Business Administration and Masters in Recreation Management from Ohio University. Andy found his passion for campus recreation towards the end of his undergraduate career while working with his mentors and strengthened this passion while obtaining his masters degree.
Andy is a member of NIRSA, the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education and the Association of Challenge Course Technology. He previously served as the NIRSA State Director of West Virginia.
Andy has worked in the campus recreation field since 1993. He has worked as the Director of Campus Recreation at Marshall University, the Adventure Education Coordinator at Kent State University and the Director of Aquatics at Ohio University. Within the field of experiential education, group facilitation and team building, Andy has worked for the Adventure Group as the Director of Facilities for Alpine Towers, Intl. and as a foreman, trainer and inspector for Cornerstone Designs, Inc.
As the Director of Campus Recreation, Andy leads and manages the department, oversees the Campus Recreation budget, operations, programs and services and directly supervises the associate and assistant directors.
Andy's favorite part of his job is watching student employees grow and evolve as individuals before leaving with a skill set and confidence to pursue their career.
In Andy's free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, specifically biking with his wife and two sons, and carpentry.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Competitive Sports ( He / His / Him )
Austin Grant has always had a love for two things - the outdoors and the Mountaineer spirit. Although he was raised in Weirton, WV, Grant and his sister would spend summers visiting his Great Aunt Judy, who lived in downtown Morgantown. He remembers going exploring all over Morgantown with just a few quarters and the PRT system to lead him.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Generalist ( She / Her / Hers )
Job Titles:
- Manager for Operations and Events Campus Recreation ( He / Him / His )
Prior to working with Campus Recreation, he worked as the Assistant Director of Recreation for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Ben is a member of both NIRSA and the Cal U Parks and Recreation Board.
As the Operations and Events Manager, Ben primarily manages guest services, general facility operations and internal and external events. The most rewarding part of Ben's jobs is seeing the advancement of student who work with Campus Recreation.
In Ben's free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors and spending time with his wife, Holly, and two kids.
Job Titles:
- Student Government ( SGA )
Craig joined the WVU Campus Recreation team in April of 2022 in the role of Associate Director. A WVU alumni earning his bachelor's degree in Sport Management he couldn't be happier to be back in Morgantown serving WVU and the campus community. Craig also has a Master of Science degree from McDaniel College in Athletic Administration.
Craig began his career in higher education working at the University of Maryland, Baltimore serving as the Event and Operations for the SMC Campus Center. Craig also spent time at Florida Atlantic University and Utah State University serving as the Assistant Director of Facility Operations at each respective institution. Most recently prior to arriving at WVU Craig was the Rec Center Division Manager for Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation in Jackson WY.
Craig has remained active in NIRSA since 2011 having served on various committees including the Outstanding Facility Awards Committee and chair of the Region VI Pre-Conference Committee. He has also presented on various topics at State Workshops, Regional and Annual Conferences.
In the Associate Director role Craig assists in guiding various aspects of the department including Facility and Maintenance Operations, Membership, Business Operations and Events. He has a passion for Campus Recreation and believes it enriches the student experience as well as provides great opportunities to the overall campus community to improve wellbeing.
When not at work Craig enjoys the outdoors especially hiking, kayaking and biking. Being a native Marylander, he passionately supports his hometown Ravens and Orioles. He also enjoys spending quality family time with his wife Erika and their two dogs Wally and Eloise along with their cat Rob.
Job Titles:
- Art & Design Manager ( She / Her / Hers )
- Student Design
Elizabeth Sikora is a sophomore at West Virginia University and is the Art & Design Manager for our marketing and communications team. She is working on her BFA in Graphic Design with minors in Advertising and Sports Communications. Elizabeth hopes to work as an Art Director after graduation.
She loves photography
She danced for 15 years
She enjoys golfing in her free time
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Member and Guest Experience ( She / Her / Hers )
Gabriela Jasek is from New Providence, New Jersey, and serves as the Coordinator of Member and Guest Experience. She received her Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion Wellness Management from Rowan University and Master's degree in Higher Education Administration at West Virginia University (WVU).
Gabriela began her involvement with Campus Recreation at Rowan University, where she held roles of Main Office Assistant, Building Manager, and Lead Building Manager. In 2019, she served as a Dillon Gym Facilities and Operations intern for Princeton University Athletics - Campus Recreation.
Following her time as an undergraduate, Gabriela headed to the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia to serve as the Operations and Events Graduate Assistant for WVU Campus Recreation.
During her free time, Gabriela enjoys spending time with her friends and exploring Morgantown with her puppy, Nyla and partner Kevin.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Aquatics
I graduated from WVU with my bachelor's degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources. I am working towards my master's in public administration. I started working in campus rec my freshman year as a swim instructor. I started swimming competitively in 2012 and have been working in Aquatics since I was 16 years old.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, Competitive Sports
Jake Bearhope is originally from Knightstown, Indiana, and servers as one of the Coordinators of Competitive Sports. He received his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise Science from Indiana University. Jake also received a Master's degree in Sport Leadership from the University of Kentucky.
His campus recreation involvement started in Bloomington, Indiana, at Indiana University (IU). While at IU, he held the roles of Intramural Sports Official, Club and Intramural Head and Assistant Supervisor, and Club and Intramural Program Assistant. He then headed to Lexington, Kentucky, and served as the Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant with the University of Kentucky Campus Recreation and Wellness department. Jake stays actively involved in NIRSA by attending/volunteering at workshops, regional tournaments, and conferences.
Jake spends his free time reading, playing recreational sports, and watching baseball games.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Fitness and Wellbeing
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant, Events
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Staff Graduate Assistants Marketing & Communications
Lex Castleberry is from Richmond, Virginia and serves as the Coordinator for Operations at Reynolds Hall overseeing our Downtown Fitness Center operations. She received her Bachelor's degree in Sports Management at West Virginia University (WVU).
Lex began her involvement with Campus Recreation in 2018 at West Virginia University where she held roles of Operations Attendant, Membership Services Assistant, and Operations Supervisor. In 2021, she served as the Operations Intern and was later promoted to be an Operations Program Assistant.
During her free time, Lex enjoys talking to her family on the phone, and watching the latest new show with her boyfriend.
Noah Gorospe is a freshman at West Virginia University. He is a website manager for the marketing and communications team of Adventure WV and Campus Recreation and is majoring in Computer Science. With an interest in software development.
Olivia Abboud is a sophomore at WVU majoring in finance with a minor in accounting. She is very involved on campus, including Greek Life, Club Sports and the Scholars/Honors programs. Olivia is passionate about athletics and is grateful to be a member of the Club Equestrian Team in addition to representing Club Sports as part of our Media Team. She has played sports her whole life and loves getting to work with all of the different sports teams of the school.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer & Digital Content Creator
Paige is a sophomore graphic design student pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a marketing minor at WVU. She works as a graphic designer for the Office of Student Wellness and says it's so much fun to get paid to be creative and practice her skills too. When she is not creating in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Paige spends her time with nature, which she considers to be a main source of her inspiration. Paige enjoys adventuring in the mountains, collecting art from local artists, live music and picnicking.
Job Titles:
- Program Assistant
- Fitness Equipment Technician
Originally from Clarksburg, WV, Patrick joined the Campus Rec staff in the summer of 2022 as the Fitness Equipment Technician, primarily based out of the shiny new Downtown Fitness Center at Reynolds Hall. While he is new to the campus rec industry, he is quite familiar and experienced with fixing broken things and is happy to be doing it at his alma mater.
Patrick graduated from WVU in 2014 with a BS in Sport and Exercise Psychology, with a minor in Business Administration, before going on to earn his MS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016. After that, he spent a couple of years in the Washington, D.C. area as a Health and Fitness Specialist at a private gym in a government facility.
A born and bred Mountaineer, after a while, Patrick got a bad case of homesickness and decided to move home to WV. He took a job fixing electronics, and it turned out he had a knack for it. That experience combined with his experience working in a fitness center led him to the position he's in now, and he is very proud to be a part of the mission of promoting wellbeing and enriching the student experience at WVU.
When he's not lubing elliptical machines, Patrick enjoys playing music, the outdoors, fishing, reading, cooking and spending time with his wonderful girlfriend, Lakin, and his loyal mutt, June.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Graduate Assistant, Competitive Sports ( She / Her / Hers )
Rama Al-Omar is a junior at West Virginia University. She is a Web Developer for the marketing and communications team of Adventure WV and Campus Recreation. She's majoring in Computer Science.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Aquatic Operations and Programming Campus Recreation ( She / Her / Hers )
Sandra has served locally on the American Red Cross Board of Directors, is a member of the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP), is a Certified Pool Operator through the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance and an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer. Sandra received the WVU Safety Achievement Award for her Safety Accomplishments in aquatics at West Virginia University.
Sandra's favorite part of her job is working closely with student staff and can often be found teaching, training and mentoring student employees.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Assistant
- Graduate Assistant, Marketing & Communications
Sean has worked with Campus Recreation since 2021, starting as the Marketing Graduate Assistant in May 2023. He received his Bachelor's in Journalism in December 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master's in Journalism.
In his free time he enjoys playing video games, watching movies, or playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator
- Research Coordinator
- Coordinator for Research Campus Recreation ( She / Her / Hers )
Sera Janson Zegre has served as the Research Coordinator for Campus Recreation since July 2017. Sera received her Bachelors of Science in Environment Studies from The George Washington University and moved on to received her Masters in Natural Resource Social Science from Oregon State University. Sera is a social scientist and educator with a background in public land management, natural resource policy and law and asset-based community planning. She offers expertise in issues related to outdoor recreation and natural resources.
Her work in the recreation field began in high school as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Her career evolved into a decade of work as a river ranger, wilderness ranger, whitewater river guide and whitewater kayak instructor. She has also worked for the Bureau of Land Management as an outdoor recreation planner in the national rivers and trails programs.
As an adjunct professor at West Virginia University's Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Sera taught various classes in Recreation, Parks and Tourism, but her primary teaching interest is Social Research Methods in Natural Resource Management. She has also taught Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management and Managing Recreation and Tourism Services.
As the Research Coordinator for Campus Recreation, Sera uses social research methods and analysis to facilitate strategic and informed program management and decision-making for Campus Recreation. Sera is always gathering data, connecting ideas, and asking questions; her work allows her to use various methods and a scientific approach to create more connections, understanding - and more questions.
In her free time, Sera enjoys outdoor adventures with her sweet family. One can find her playing in and on water in various forms, especially under the sun and in the river.
Vicki received her Bachelor's in Child Development and Family Studies and Master's in Reading, both from West Virginia University. Vicki has loved spending time with children for as long as she can remember! Before receiving her masters, she taught in her own preschool classroom for three years.
In addition to her degrees from WVU, she also earned a professional teaching certification in birth through Pre-k education, a reading specialist certification in Pre-k through adult and holds an American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED CPRO certification. Vicki worked in the hospitality industry with organizations like the Marriott Corporation and the Greater Morgantown WV Convention and Visitors Bureau before starting her time at WVU.
As the Operations Coordinator for Youth Programming, Vicki's responsibility is to oversee all aspects of Campus Recreation's Youth Programs including Mountaineer KidZone, Kids Night Out, Kids Summer Camp and Kids Climbing Club. Vicki is also responsible for carefully selecting and ensuring proper training for all youth programming staff. These dedicated WVU students from all disciplines and backgrounds, help facilitate programs and activities that provide safe, quality care, that is fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate for the children enrolled.
Vicki loves spending time with her husband, Brian, of over 25 years. They enjoy cooking together and experimenting with new recipes, touring wineries with friends and taking long walks. Their favorite place to vacation together is the beach, where they enjoy strolling along the shore line hunting for treasures in the sand. They also enjoy visiting with their extra special niece and nephew as often as they can!