-Taylor Sidore, former Student Employee, University of Oregon Student, Now Graduate Assistant for Fitness UNL I would describe Jessica as a supervisor that is the epitome of a support system. She is always there when you need her but she ultimately wants you to grow on your own. She would never want you to fail and ensures that you have the resources necessary to follow your dreams and achieve what you set your mind to. She is a supervisor that can work with a diverse population because she understands how others work and recognizes that we can all learn from each other. This type of management style is amazing because everyone feels heard and appreciated while being on the team.
I always thought I had a different idea for a career but she inspired me to further explore my options in campus recreation. She is constantly helping my growth by providing opportunities to build upon my strengths and improve on my weaknesses through giving me tasks to lead trainings, hiring’s, and asking what exactly I want to accomplish. She has taken the time to have weekly meetings with me to work on my personal goals, revise my resume, and give me endless amounts of wisdom on life and career as I enter my senior year. She always makes the effort to provide new experiences for her staff to learn and grow as leaders. She is such a strong and incredible role model, that I not only want to be like, but hope to make proud. My college experience would not have been the same had I not had her to learn and grow from.
-Tatyana Belinsky former Student Employee, University of Oregon Student, now Equinox Personal Trainer L.A. Dear Jessica I hope this Tatyana Russian-themed card and gift is reaching you at a time in your busy day when you need a moment away from work to read about the positive impact you have on others around you. I know I speak for our whole team when I say that I would not be where I am without the guidance you have offered. Through GroupX, Personal Training, fitness education, all our incredible events and programs, and my personal life/girl time we have shared, I have never felt more included, more inspired, more listened to, and more coached than I have when you are my mentor. As I move on to the Los Angeles fitness world, I am more inspired and excited than ever to bring to this new group of people everything I have to offer thanks to you. Although LA is very different from the UO Rec Center, I will always remember the strength and confidence you instilled in me to always be a better version of myself and help others to do the same, and physically and emotionally ROCK exactly what I have to offer, nothing else.
Thank you for everything you have done for me; I have already started searching for our outfits that we will wear when we present at IDEA Fitness Conference years from now (you're ok with all pink right?) With all the love and gratitude in the world.
-Sam Nervino, Student Employee, Northwest Christian University Jessica has changed my life over the past two years in so many ways. First, she took a chance hiring me as a new fitness professional in my first year of my Exercise Science program through Lane Community College. Jessica recognized my passion for health, fitness, and working with people from the start. She began to encourage and provide me with as many professional and personal growth opportunities she could. Jessica showed me all of the possible routes I could take in my fitness career. Jessica inspired me to reach beyond my Associate of Applied Science and pursue not only my Bachelors in Exercise Science, but consider Graduate Assistantships in order to receive my Masters - something I never thought I would do! She has been there for me to offer praise when I succeed, and encouragement when I feel I am struggling. She reminds me to be active and present in life, and find balance in the things that I invest my energy into. Jessica has been one of the best mentors I could have possibly found in my life, and I am so thankful for her guidance.
-Ryan Samuels, Student Employee, University of Oregon Student Jessica has impacted my experience at the UO tremendously by always striving for me to be better! Jessica creates many opportunities for myself and others to grow into the best fitness professionals we can possibly be. With her knowledge and dedication to her employees she makes our program top notch. Jessica has put the time and effort into helping me make my resume look the best it could possibly be. She listens to my ideas and questions and has a personality that brightens up my day.
-Scarlett Tucker, Personal Training Client, University of Oregon Jessica trained me for a year, and through her guidance and motivation, she changed my life. Jessica's personality is kind, outgoing, and a love for life that rubs off on the people she is around. She motivates you through her enthusiasm; her belief in you, makes you believe in yourself. Jessica was my door to a healthier and happier life, and to countless others. She is one of a kind and I'm so grateful to have trained with her.
-Chantelle Russell, Associate Director of Physical Education, Primary Supervisor, University of Oregon Anne Leavitt Award Nomination It is an honor to nominate Jessica Graham, Coordinator of Fitness Programs, for the Anne Leavitt award, as she lives the Division’s goal of providing an exceptional experience for every student and transforming their lives on and off campus. She is a role model, confidant, supervisor and mentor to students; many who acknowledge they want to be just like her!
Jessica supervises 50+ student employees in fitness programs. Her commitment to the student experience and success is evident in her daily interactions, trainings, and the time she takes to work with students on an individual level. In her role, Jessica has impacted students in their personal and professional lives. She finds joy in her work and her passion is contagious. Although UO doesn’t have a specific fitness or recreation major, she has inspired and mentored students on career options and several want to follow her footsteps. She has provided guidance, leadership opportunities, resume building, taken students to professional conferences and spent countless hours talking to students about how they can reach their goals. In her few years with us, Jessica has helped a couple students continue in campus recreation as graduate assistants in programs across the country (with several more applying this year, 2016).
Jessica has taken her employee training, expectations and thus fitness programs to the next level by motivating her staff, getting buy-in for why we do what we do and giving them additional responsibilities to increase ownership. She is able to evaluate the strengths that students bring to the fitness team and find a fit that both challenges and provides a place of comfort. She teaches two credit PE lecture courses for personal trainers and group exercise instructors, but doesn’t limit her influence and desire to help the students to the 3-4 hours a week they meet in classroom. She teaches with the goal of preparing students to apply the information and skills and focuses on meeting them where they are to get them to the next level. She provides opportunities for peer education, as well as creating additional practical learning experiences outside of the classroom.
It is evident that Jessica prioritizes student engagement and the co-curricular experience for her student employees, but also for those who are participating in our programs. Jessica is continuously finding ways to provide fitness and wellness activities, role-modeling and guiding others towards active balanced lives. She collaborates with campus partners, such as Housing and the Counseling and Testing Center, to take fitness outside of the Rec Center and meeting the students where they are. She coordinates weekly workouts at the Global Scholars Hall, administers activities for Stress Less week, as well as working with student groups on and off campus to provide fitness education. Her decision making always comes back to the impact and how we can best serve UO students.
Jessica encourages and promotes well-rounded development. She cares about the success of students, not only as an employee or team member, but primarily as college students and people first. Her door is always open (usually with a student inside), and her focus is always on the individual with her at the time. Jessica is recognized by students and career staff for her dedication to student development. She is deserving and a fine representative of the Anne Leavitt Award.
-Lori, Cycling Participant As we’re getting close to the end of the term, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the Group X cycling class you teach on Tuesdays at noon. Things I love about your class:
- The workouts are so well designed – great combination of endurance and speed.
- Your instruction is very clear. I know what’s ahead and can figure out how to pace myself. I always know what I’m working toward, the goal of any particular drill, and you explain clearly how to work with these great bikes to get there.
- Your style of teaching is very motivating for me. The level of encouragement you give is great – you push us but don’t spend a lot of time telling us how great we’re doing. Somehow I always manage to find a little extra kick toward the end in your classes, to my surprise.
-Dani, Cycling Participant Thank you also for being a really fantastic instructor. I’ve enjoyed your teaching style—you balance well educating with providing support and challenge. I’ve also overheard some really great things from other people in class about how much they benefit from and like your class in particular.
Keep up the great work, it’s making a big difference!