In his contributions to the university and community, Skyler Rorabaugh, campus recreation director, Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center, earned recognition as the UCCS recipient of the University of Colorado Staff Council Service Excellence Award. Chancellor Venkat Reddy presented the award to Rorabaugh during the All Staff Conference April 13 at CU Boulder.
“Skyler works well beyond the average 40 hours a week and still finds time to volunteer with his church, children’s sports teams, children’s schools, local coalitions, and a national governing body. Skyler believes in giving back through hard work, dedication, and sharing his passion for what he does,” wrote Rorabaugh’s nominator, Stephanie Hanenberg, executive director, Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center.
As director of campus recreation, Rorabaugh is responsible for all campus recreation programming, including club and intramural sports, aquatics, fitness, outdoor programs and trails, kids programming, large-scale events and wellness initiatives. He has developed a team with a strong focus on customer satisfaction that routinely uses survey results to rotate equipment options, fitness classes and expand hours. After feedback from his student advisory board, he built a new climbing wall. He also encouraged the new outdoor programs coordinator to expand trip options, which resulted in 100 percent of all trips being sold out and the first ever skydiving trip selling out in less than five minutes. This support for his coordinator is one example of how he supports all of his staff in their creativity to expand services and programs.
He also is responsible for marketing, membership services, budgeting, building management and maintenance, and staff supervision, and manages a $4.6 million budget.
“His passion for what he does drives each of his decisions to provide quality services and programs for students, faculty and staff. He is also a firm believer in being a role model in his area,” wrote Hanenberg.
Rorabaugh plays on multiple intramural leagues composed of staff and students; plays noon basketball with staff, faculty and students; often goes for a run during his lunch break; and is an active contributor and participant in all student trainings and large-scale events.
He has volunteered to co-facilitate a group of students on campus called the “A-Team,” who have great leadership potential and are provided with a development opportunity once a month. Rorabaugh and his co-facilitators are responsible for planning the monthly development opportunities, which consist of visiting other leaders and departments on campus. The monthly event also has an educational component, which the facilitators create and most recently a new service project element that Rorabaugh organizes.
“Skyler believes that student development opportunities outside of the classroom are extremely important and are directly responsible for keeping students engaged on campus. These opportunities also provide students with lifelong skills to help them throughout college and all future endeavors,” wrote Hanenberg.
Rorabaugh’s passion for this work has resulted in the creation of numerous opportunities for his student employees, advisory board members, and now this additional group of students. He will also assist with an internship program for the Department of Communications to provide a student a semester of experience in the department.
In addition, Rorabaugh has participated in the campus “clean the stream” volunteer project and the Adopt-a-Family program. Not only did he encourage Campus Recreation staff to adopt a UCCS family to support this year, he also encouraged student staff to participate as well. This resulted in Campus Recreation student staff adopting their own family and the entire Recreation and Wellness Center staff being able to adopt two additional families. This project supports UCCS students and staff that need assistance providing gifts and food for their families during the holiday season. He also teaches in the GPS freshmen program to help with student retention and has used that opportunity to expose students to wellness routines that will help them be successful in school.
Outside the university, Rorabaugh is actively involved with many volunteer projects, including through the Austin Bluffs Community Church where he teaches a weekly boys club, serves as a deacon on the board of directors, and assists the weekly usher team. He is involved with his children’s sports efforts and serves as a volunteer head coach for the Vista Ridge Power Zone Elementary School League and the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation fast pitch softball and baseball programs.
In addition, he volunteers at his children’s school, especially for events and activities, including the annual field day. In the greater Colorado Springs community, he serves on the Trails and Open Space Coalition Board and is an ADT Marathon volunteer. He also is involved with the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.
–Originally appeared in CU Connections, April 19, 2018
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