CENTERS, LLC

07/11/2025

How CSU Made a Bold Move-In Weekend Impact

Cleveland State University redefined student engagement with All That’s Green Is Gold—an immersive, Gen Z–focused event that:
- Nearly doubled attendance expectations (816 students)
- Sparked an 18.4% increase in Rec & Wellness participation
- Sold out food vouchers and custom swag within 30 minutes
- Drew rave reviews, with 87% satisfaction

What Made It Work
- 25+ hands-on zones: dodgeball, e-sports, mocktail bars, boxing, and more
- No sales pitch—just pure, student-centered fun
- Green carpet, swag, lights, and music created a nightclub-style vibe
- Smart timing: filled a Sunday afternoon gap during move-in weekend

Why It Mattered
- Replaced a fading tradition with an unforgettable experience
- Increased Rec Center traffic and program sign-ups
- Built strong campus-wide collaboration to deliver big results

Takeaways
- Design for experience, not promotion
- Meet Gen Z where they are—immersive, interactive, and fun
- Partner across departments to make it happen

Read more:

The case study focuses on the 2023 “All That’s Green Is Gold” experience, a revamped fall kick-off event at Cleveland State University. The event aimed to address challenges such as the move-in weekend gap, declining interest in the previous event “Rock the Rec,” and the broader issue of d...

07/09/2025

Community colleges face increasing pressure to meet student expectations while managing limited resources. Harper College and MVCC Fit Rec Community College partnered with CENTERS to reimagine what’s possible — and the results speak for themselves.

Key outcomes:
- Increased student engagement through high-quality, intentionally designed facilities
- Streamlined operations with a focus on cost efficiency
- Developed new revenue streams to support long-term sustainability
- Built meaningful partnerships that strengthened community ties
Voices from campus leadership:

“A safe, clean, professionally run center that has enhanced the health and wellness of our campus.” — Dr. Pamela Haney, Moraine Valley Community College

“Well-staffed, well-run facilities with great student engagement through CENTERS.” — Mary Kay Harton, Harper College

- CENTERS provides full-service operational management that includes:
- Facility oversight and day-to-day operations
- Student-centered programming and engagement strategies
- Financial planning and revenue generation
- Community outreach and partnership development
- Leadership development and job opportunities for students

From recreation centers to performing arts venues, esports lounges to conference services, CENTERS helps institutions create spaces that drive student success, build community, and deliver results.

Discover how CENTERS can help your campus thrive:

Learn how community colleges improved student engagement, financial sustainability, and campus life operations with outsourced management. Download now

07/02/2025

AI isn’t replacing campus rec—it’s redefining what’s possible. From operations to engagement, artificial intelligence is already reshaping industries, and campus recreation is next. In The AI Imperative in Campus Rec Magazine, Matthew Schmiedl breaks down why AI is more than just a tool—it’s a mindset shift. “The question isn’t if AI will impact campus recreation. It’s how well we prepare to use it.”

This article delivers a clear message: we’re not behind—we’re right on time. But it’s up to us to lean in. Schmiedl explores how AI can help us:
- Personalize student outreach and program recommendations
- Automate scheduling, maintenance, and service touchpoints
- Use predictive analytics to improve safety and efficiency
- Equip staff with the tools and training to lead in a tech-forward future

And most importantly, it’s not about removing the human touch. It’s about freeing up time and resources so we can enhance it because the core of campus rec will always be people.

Whether you're just starting to explore or are already testing AI-driven tools, this read will challenge your thinking and provide next steps.

Explore how campus rec professionals can adopt AI responsibly—with 6 key considerations from CENTERS AI Council Chair Matt Schmiedl.

07/01/2025

06/26/2025

Is your student center operating at full potential?

The latest edition of CENTERS Impact explores how strategic partnerships can unlock new value in student centers, boosting engagement, streamlining operations, and aligning with institutional goals.

- How CENTERS helps institutions modernize campus center operations
- Cleveland State’s bundled management model in action
- Rethinking campus centers to strengthen student belonging and outcomes

These stories reflect our collaborative work with Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. showing how planning and operations can align to drive measurable impact.

Read the newsletter:

Email from CENTERS, LLC B&D and CENTERS on aligning mission and operations Is Your Student Center Operating at Its Full Potential? A closer look at how outsourced operations drive efficiency, engageme

06/25/2025

Greg Ross, Vice President of Operations at CENTERS, LLC, leads with a clear mission: embed sustainability into the everyday operations of campus recreation. With decades of experience, including leadership roles at Cleveland State and Kent State, Greg oversees site operations, risk management, and the systems that guide CENTERS’ approach nationwide. His deep industry knowledge and passion for innovative, intentional practices have positioned CENTERS as a leader in aligning recreation with sustainability and turning big ideas into practical, measurable action.

At CENTERS, we see campus recreation centers as more than just fitness facilities—they’re opportunities to model, teach, and implement environmental responsibility. Our operational framework is rooted in delivering value to students and institutions alike while staying laser-focused on long-term impact.

Key takeaways from the article:
- Sustainability in Motion: We use recreation centers as “hands-on learning labs,” showcasing how sustainability can be applied through energy conservation, water efficiency, and waste reduction—all in the flow of daily operations.
- Procurement with Purpose: From biodegradable cleaning supplies to recycled-material staff uniforms and sustainable fitness equipment, our teams partner with green vendors who support and reflect campus values.
- Efficiency Meets Impact: Smart operations don’t just reduce their environmental footprint—they also increase long-term cost savings and system-wide efficiency, proving that sustainability is a good business decision.
- Institutional Alignment: We work directly with university leadership to ensure that rec centers not only meet but often exceed campus sustainability goals through thoughtful design and ongoing management.
- Student Empowerment: By integrating sustainability into recreation programming and facility experiences, we help students build habits that stick—educating through experience and example.
- Leadership You Can Trust: Greg’s expertise and involvement with NIRSA, along with his hands-on support across CENTERS sites, ensure our strategies are not only innovative but also tested and impactful.

CENTERS is proud to turn vision into implementation—and sustainability into a core part of the student experience.

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

06/24/2025

Washington, DC, June 24, 2025—Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) announced its continued upward momentum in Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) annual rankings of top program management firms. In the newly released 2025 list, B&D climbed to #25 among the Top 50 Program Management Firms—its highest positi...

06/20/2025

Sustainable Operations in Action

At The Sonnentag, CENTERS helped turn design into results—building a day-to-day operating model that delivers on efficiency, safety, and impact.

Here’s what that looks like:
- Geothermal HVAC with 190 wells—no on-site fossil fuels
- WELL Health-Safety certified operations, including air/water quality protocols
- Smart water systems—32% less indoor water use
- LED lighting and light pollution controls across the facility
- Shared-use model maximizing community, student, and partner access
- Real-time sustainability dashboards and composting stations for user education
- Embedded staffing strategy to maintain system performance from day one

This is how we operate—strategic, accountable, and built for long-term value.

Read more about how CENTERS is delivering sustainable operations that work:

Explore how CENTERS delivers sustainable operations at The Sonnentag, a LEED Gold sports complex with WELL-certified daily practices.

06/18/2025

Unlock strategies that turn campus centers into engines of engagement and impact.

This newsletter is designed for higher ed leaders committed to delivering mission-aligned, financially sound operations that strengthen communities, boost student engagement, and drive institutional outcomes

From recreation & wellness centers to sports complexes, student centers, arenas, event & conference services, performing arts venues, housing, and more—we share proven strategies that enhance the student experience and unlock new value across campus.

Join the list today and get actionable strategies that make a difference.

https://conta.cc/3G3CcJy

06/13/2025

Arena Football Touches Down in Eau Claire

The Eau Claire Axemen have officially arrived as a new expansion team in The Arena League—a professional indoor football league—marking an exciting new era for sports in the Chippewa Valley. Their home turf? The Sonnentag Event Center.

CENTERS is proud to play a key role in bringing game day to life for the Axemen. Our team supports all aspects of event operations at The Sonnentag—from arena setup, ticketing, and staffing to merchandise, concessions, and day-of logistics—ensuring a seamless experience for fans and athletes alike.

As Eau Claire welcomes its first-ever arena football team, we’re honored to help launch this milestone moment in a venue built for energy, excitement, and unforgettable action.

06/12/2025

Rethinking Campus Centers with Purpose
At CENTERS, we see campus centers as strategic assets—designed to drive engagement, student success, and operational performance. When space, programming, and staffing are aligned, centers become more than just places—they become platforms for retention, leadership development, and community connection.

We manage over 100,000 student touchpoints annually through adaptable spaces, data-informed programs, and student employment models that deliver real-world skills.

The outcome? Purpose-built facilities that evolve with the campus and serve both institutional goals and student needs.

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

06/10/2025

At CENTERS, we don’t just hire employees—we cultivate leaders. We believe in empowering individuals to grow, innovate, and make a real impact on the communities we serve. If you're looking for a place where your work has purpose and your potential is limitless, you’re in the right place.

Our culture is built on collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to excellence. We challenge the status quo, encourage bold thinking, and inspire each other to go further. Whether you're leading a team or contributing to a dynamic project, at CENTERS, your ideas and contributions shape the future of our organization and the lives of those we serve.

We are seeking driven, passionate professionals who are ready to make a lasting impact in a supportive, growth-focused environment. If you're ready to bring your talents to an organization where your work truly matters, explore our full-time opportunities.

Join a team that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Your next great opportunity starts here. Discover your future with CENTERS:

View all current positions at Centers across all categories and locations. See a position you like? Contact us and apply today!