Biography

Jodi Hawkins joined the URI team in 1991 as the Coordinator, Athletic/Recreational, Facility Operations & Fitness Program. In 2009, Campus recreation and the Department of Athletica split to form two separate departments and the university appointed Ms. Hawkins as the first Director of Campus Recreation. Jodi is responsible for providing oversight, strategic planning, and leadership to support a diverse, comprehensive array of facilities, programs, and services for URI students and the community. She leads a team of 11 Core Units, 12 dedicated professional staff, and 350+ student employees with an operating budget of more than $3.2 million.

Ms. Hawkins, along with her team continues to transform the campus recreation program. Working in partnership with key stakeholders and student leaders, several significant facility enhancement projects were executed including the addition of the North Rec Fields, the planning, development, and construction of the $11million Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center, and completion of Tootell Aquatic Center Advance Planning Study. Strategic growth initiatives include the addition of 2 new professional staff implemented the department’s first internal/external review, cultivated key stakeholders and successfully created the URI Sailing Advisory Council- focused on enhancing the overall success of the URI Sailing Programs, and collaborated with the team a created the framework for a Task Force committed to work on social justice and anti-racism.

For more than 39 years, Jodi has actively been involved in the professional developmental association NIRSA- Leaders in Collegiate Recreational and is a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist (CRSS). In 2002, she received the NIRSA Region I Award of Merit which recognizes exceptional performance, dedication, creativity, and innovation within the profession.

Ms. Hawkins annually volunteers at the Rhode Island Summer Special Olympics Games. In 2006, she received the Inspired Greatness Award for Outstanding Community Services and was selected to serve as the Grand Marshall for the RI Summer Special Olympics Games in 2017.

Jodi earned an MS in College Student Personnel in Higher Education and Administration of Parks & Administration from Southern Illinois University, and a BS in Recreational & Leisure Studies form Eastern Illinois University. Her favorite thing about Campus Rec is the passion and energy that the student and professional staff bring to work every day.