Lydia Pond Email & Phone Number

Lydia serves as the Director of Visitor Services for the Forest Preserve District of Will County. She is responsible for the planning, development, coordination, oversight, and operation of the Visitor Services Department, its personnel (40+ full-time employees), six (6) visitor facilities throughout the county, their programming sections and programs, as well as assisting other departments in planning and management of Forest Preserve lands and facilities. Day-to-day Lydia manages the daily operations of the visitor facilities including operational, interpretive, and programmatic facility planning. Each facility offers unique educational, recreational, and/or interpretive programs and services for the Forest Preserve as well as large scale events and exhibitions. Visitor Services is also responsible for the Forest Preserve’s Permitting and Recreation section which includes picnics, camping, facility rentals, program registrations, and dog park permits. The Forest Preserve District of Will County owns and/or manages over 23,000 acres of land, 72 forest preserves, and more than 116 miles of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, running, and/or snowshoeing. Visitor Centers in the Forest Preserve District of Will County include:Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, ChannahonHidden Oaks Nature Center, BolingbrookIsle a la Cache Museum, RomeovillePlum Creek Nature Center, CreteMonee Reservoir, MoneeLake Renwick Heron Rookery, Plainfield

In 2018, Lydia became the first Director of Campus Recreation at the college. Institutional restructuring due to the pandemic expanded the scope of her work and transitioned her to the Director of Student Activities and Campus Recreation. In January of 2022, she moved back to the role of Director of Campus Recreation where she then reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Athletics and was tasked with reshaping how the campus community leads an active, healthy lifestyle through sport, fitness, and play. Lydia was responsible for the development and oversight of all functions within campus recreation (Rec Sports) including group fitness, intramural sports, club sports, informal recreation, instructional programs, and outdoor adventure programs. She also provided oversight of the college's club sports teams including the supervision of coaches for both the Cheer & Dance teams.

Adjunct Instructor - Master of Arts in Sports Leadership:Taught MSPT 612 - Management of Facilities and Events. Responsible for creating curriculum and assisting graduate students in developing the leadership required to implement best practices in the development and management of sport and recreational venues and events. Topics include facility design, planning, safety concerns, maintenance, and scheduling. Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2023.Adjunct Instructor - Department of Kinesiology:Taught activity classes that include racquet sports and tennis activity course. Responsible for creating curriculum, developing lesson plans, and mentoring students in and out of the classroom. Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019.

Responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of student activities (highlighted by extensive weekend programming) which met the social needs of a diverse student population and which contributed to the overall growth and development of students. Provided guidance to all student organizations on campus and regularly communicates with student organizations concerning policy information, budgeting, and leadership development. Responsible for the development and oversight of all functions within campus recreation (Rec Sports) including group fitness, intramural sports, club sports, informal recreation, instructional programs, and outdoor adventure programs. Oversight of club sports includes supervising coaches for both the Cheer & Dance teams.

Responsible for development and oversight of all programs in campus recreation including fitness, intramural sports, club sports, informal recreation, instructional programs and outdoor experiential programs.

Coordinator of Recreation Programs & Assistant Athletic Facilities & Events Manager:Programming: Responsible for the development, supervision, promotion, and administration of intramural and fitness programs and policies; Develop and review a comprehensive officials training for intramural officials and supervisors; Develop and adhere to risk management policies and safety procedures; Develop and update a written manual for intramural captain's; Oversee the organization and maintenance of intramurals equipment, supplies, and fields; Maintain Rec Sports web page and participant database. Management: Supervise all aspects of the Rec Sports Department student employment (approximately 50 student workers, interns, and Graduate Assistants); Enforce College and departmental policies and procedures, Develop strategic plans for short and long-term goals; Develop and apply assessment tools, annual budget proposals and monitor budget allocations; Prepare fees and process refunds for supervised programs; Keep current with developments in the recreational sports profession, specifically as it relates to intramurals and fitness programs and services. Financial Management: Develop annual budget proposal and statistical numbers and budget presentations to justify financial requests; Monitor and adhere to budget allocations; Create refund policies regarding supervised programs; Prepare monthly payroll.Marketing: Responsible for all print, media, and web based marketing, including social media.

Responsibilities included: coaching, recruitment, and retention of qualified Division III student-athletes, contest scheduling, budget & equipment management, and annual spring trip planning/ fundraising. Additional responsibilities included, but were not limited to, supporting academic success, leadership development, alumni & community engagement and other administrative and/or coaching duties as assigned. See less

Master'S Degree, Sports Administration

Bachelor'S Degree, Recreation Administration