In this episode, Khaled Elmasri interviews Steven Trotter, the Director of Well-being at Eastern Carolina University, to explore his journey in the fitness industry and the transformative impact of group exercise on student well-being.Together, they delve into the crucial role of creating a sense of community within group fitness classes and the influence of facility design on enhancing the overall fitness experience. They discuss the power of music, lighting, and instructor training in crafting a transformative and immersive fitness environment.The conversation broadens to discuss the importance of engaging and immersive spaces within university recreation departments and the integration of campus recreation and well-being. Steven and Khaled touch on the challenges of resource prioritization and effective priority management, the shift towards a customer service approach in higher education, and the impact of the enrollment cliff on student admissions.Steven emphasizes the need for universities to align their goals and objectives with the student experience, highlighting the importance of employee experience and rethinking assessment and evaluation processes. The discussion also covers rethinking marketing strategies in campus recreation, the importance of communicating through mobile devices, and using targeted marketing techniques like geotagging and paid advertising on platforms like YouTube.Tune in to discover the significance of creating an engaging member journey, providing experiential opportunities for students, building a strong community within campus recreation, and being a benchmark for innovation and excellence in the field.
