CENTERS Director Shares Leadership Lesson in Industry Podcast
CENTERS’ Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Missouri- St. Louis, Yvette Kell was recently featured on the industry podcast, Director Download, powered by Campus Rec Magazine. In this episode, host, Grady Sheffield goes behind the curtain of the director role to have insightful discussions with leaders in the campus recreation industry.
Yvette Kell, Director of Campus Recreation at CENTERS@UMSL, brings nearly three decades of experience and perspective to the Director Download podcast. Her journey into the field began by officiating intramurals as an undergraduate, sparking a career that has taken her from leading one of higher education’s first integrated wellness centers to teaching English in Korea after a career setback.
In this episode, Yvette reflects on the challenges and politics of managing a groundbreaking facility, and how losing her job, though difficult, became a turning point that strengthened her resilience and broadened her outlook. She shares how humor, storytelling, and candid communication define her leadership style, and why she believes the student development language used today is finally catching up to what recreation professionals have always understood about the impact of their work.
The conversation dives into the realities of leadership, including the mental toll it can take and the importance of reframing failure. Yvette explains how shifting her mindset to “not take it personally” has protected her well-being, and why letting go of expectations and embracing the chaos of change has been key to her growth.
Her story underscores the value of grit, lifelong learning, and perspective. For campus recreation professionals navigating the ups and downs of leadership, this episode offers reassurance, encouragement, and a reminder that you are not alone in the journey.