Padgett earns prestigious NIRSA honor

Mila Padgett, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at the University of South Carolina Aiken, has been awarded the Regional Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions to Region II by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). This prestigious honor is particularly significant as recipients are nominated by their peers, underscoring the widespread respect and admiration Padgett has garnered within the field.

NIRSA, a professional association founded in 1950, supports nearly 4,500 members, including professionals, students, and industry partners, and ultimately serves over 8 million college students through its promotion of collegiate recreation.

“Universities with recreation and wellness programs typically turn to NIRSA for professional development and opportunities to connect with colleagues in similar roles,” Padgett explained.

Padgett’s involvement with NIRSA spans nearly 30 years, beginning in 1995. Throughout that time, she has served in numerous roles, including committee positions and leadership posts on the board of directors. Her dedication has made a lasting impact on the organization. She also holds the unique distinction of being the only person in NIRSA history to receive two Regional Awards of Merit. The first was in 2010 for her contributions to Region III while at Oakland University.

Padgett, since joining USCA, has overseen a comprehensive recreation program that caters to students, faculty, staff, their families, and the entire Aiken community.

Her journey in campus recreation began during her undergraduate years at Ferris State University, where she earned a B.S. in Recreation and Leisure Management. Working as a student employee in the campus recreation center, Padgett was encouraged by her supervisor to apply for a graduate assistantship— a move she hadn’t considered due to financial constraints.

“That encouragement changed my path,” she shared. “Had my boss not pushed me, I wouldn’t have thought about graduate school.”

She went on to earn an M.S. in Exercise Physiology with a specialization in Cardiac Rehabilitation from the University of Southern Mississippi. Now, Padgett pays it forward by mentoring students in similar ways, encouraging them to pursue graduate assistantships and professional opportunities in collegiate recreation.

“Taking care of your physical health directly supports your mental well-being,” she said. “In collegiate recreation, we work to provide opportunities for the communities we serve to stay active and learn how to positively impact your health and well-being.”

NIRSA affirms the widespread benefits of campus recreation, with growing evidence of its positive impact on student success, well-being, and engagement.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at [email protected].