James Rogers appointed as head of Campus Recreation at University of Pennsylvania

James Rogers Named Director of Campus Recreation at University of Pennsylvania

James Rogers, a seasoned professional with a proven track record of advancement within institutions and serving the needs of members, has been appointed as the new Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn).

Rogers' previous experience includes spending a year as the executive director at the Spring Valley YMCA and three years as the director of university recreation at Drexel. During his tenure at the Spring Valley YMCA, he served over 17,000 members, a testament to his ability to lead and manage a large community.

At the Spring Valley YMCA, Rogers developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing and member engagement strategy. This strategy, which resulted in a 9% increase year-over-year in membership enrollment, showcases his strategic acumen and commitment to member satisfaction. Under his leadership, the Spring Valley YMCA also achieved its highest-ever annual fundraising total, increasing the annual campaign by 36%.

Rogers' impressive leadership in recreation has not gone unnoticed. Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation at Penn, expressed her impressions with Rogers' leadership. Wren looks forward to welcoming Rogers back to University City and joining the Penn community.

Rogers started his first day at Penn on July 1, 2022, and is set to begin his duties on Sept. 1. He is honoured to join Penn's Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics and looks forward to collaborating with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

Penn has a vibrant and diverse campus community, and Rogers is excited to contribute to its ongoing success. He is particularly looking forward to working with the university's student body, which he believes is a key component of any thriving campus community.

For the past year, Rogers provided strategic and operational leadership for a 175,000 square foot flagship YMCA in Royersford, Pennsylvania. The Spring Valley YMCA operated with a $6.4M budget under his leadership, demonstrating his ability to manage resources effectively.

As Rogers embarks on this new chapter in his career, he is eager to bring his passion for recreation and commitment to member satisfaction to Penn. The university community can look forward to a dynamic and engaging campus recreation programme under his leadership.

James Rogers appointed as head of Campus Recreation at University of Pennsylvania