Eric Maki

Maki, who was hired in July 2012, was most recently employed at the University of Missouri as associate director of facilities in the Department of Recreation Services and Facilities. He also held similar jobs at Cleveland State University and Illinois State University.

Campus Recreation, located in the Heskett Center, provides programs, activities and services that promote the health and well-being of the WSU community.

The program offers WSU students, faculty, staff and alumni fitness classes, personal training, therapeutic massage, intramural sports and sport clubs. Campus Recreation also holds special events including blood drives, an annual health fair and the annual Pumpkin Run, open to the general public.

Maki's primary task as director is to shape the student life experience outside of the classroom. Other responsibilities include budget creation and administration, collaborating with various university departments on programs or events, and facilitating large-scale construction projects specific to Campus Recreation.

"The programs and services we provide the Wichita State community are intentionally designed for all those we serve," said Maki. "Everything we do is with the WSU student in mind."

Changes and improvements
Maki plans to make improvements in several aspects of the program.

"In the spring semester, you will see a positive shift in that we will be offering more evening fitness classes and activities," he said. "These classes are designed to attract our residence-life students who are craving more events and programs to participate in during the evening hours."

The Heskett Center will also undergo some changes of its own, including the addition of new cardiovascular equipment to the fitness floor by the beginning of the spring 2013 semester. Maki also is evaluating possible renovations for the building and enhancements to the outdoor playing fields.

"The students of WSU deserve more modern and available fitness spaces indoors as well as outdoors," said Maki. "The exciting thing for all should be that we recognize those needs, so now let's determine the best course of action."

For its student employees, Campus Recreation is implementing an innovative student development model that focuses on experiential learning. Maki said the program will help to increase the student staff's leadership abilities.

"We must continue to provide our students the out-of-classroom experience that will set them apart from other institutions to future employers," he said.

Maki's enthusiasm about the future of Campus Recreation is apparent.

"We do not want to just maintain," he said. "We want to continually exceed the expectations of our students in providing programs focused on excellence and in complementing the academic mission of Wichita State University."

For more information on Campus Recreation and the Heskett Center, go to www.wichita.edu/campusrecreation.