Mule Musings: Director of Recreation Services Tiffany Lomax
Tiffany Lomax joined Colby in August as its inaugural director of recreation services. In this new role, Lomax is responsible for launching an integrated program, including intramural and club sports, a multi-layered fitness program, and meditation and mindfulness experiences. Working with student leaders, the Colby Athletic Department, and the Office of the Dean of the College, Lomax will provide the campus community with varying options to stay active and develop healthy life habits. She shares her story with us.
The opening of the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center positions Colby as a leader in collegiate recreation. What does recreation mean to you?
Recreation has provided me with positive, healthy behaviors, social engagement opportunities, professional development, and a sense of belonging to my campus community. I hope to be able to nurture similar experiences for the Colby community, in which students, faculty, and staff can tailor their own experience, find their niche within campus recreation, and that will be part of their overall educational experience. Some enjoy group fitness, while others prefer more meditative and individual practice. I’ve been welcomed with open arms and am extremely excited to help develop a robust recreation program with the support of various campus partners that will serve Colby and the greater Waterville community.
Fitness options at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center include HIIT training, Zumba, spin classes, and yoga practice, just to name a few. How do you personally enjoy staying active in the state-of-the-art facility?
I carve out time in the mornings, as it helps me relieve stress and be more focused throughout the day. Although, there is plenty of time to explore the options because we’re open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. I enjoy lifting weights in the three-level Boulos Family Fitness Center. I am competitive so I also enjoy playing basketball and volleyball and am working toward building an active intramural sports program while enhancing the club sports program here at Colby. I look forward to building programs that will help others on campus engage in competitive interactions for all interests and skill levels.
Colby’s health, wellness and recreation initiatives are intended to enrich the liberal arts educational experience for all students. Can you talk about the recreation programs you have started since arriving on campus and which have been the most popular?
Climbing Night at Aidan’s Climbing and Bouldering Wall has been very well received by students, and one of the most highly sought after classes was knitting. We also see the Colby community enjoying open swim in the Aquatics Center at the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, which is the first and only 50-meter Myrtha pool in the state of Maine. Our men’s and women’s rugby teams, and some of the other club sports, have been actively practicing while abiding by the same health and safety guidelines as the varsity sports. We continue to discuss new, creative and safe ways to offer recreation during this unusual time, and have only scratched the surface!
You were the associate director of wellness, recreation, and campus events at Delaware State University. What excites you most about moving from Delaware to Maine?
I moved to Maine with my dog Raven, and we’re already exploring the great outdoors. So far I’ve visited Fort Williams Park and Crescent Beach, and the Hume Center on beautiful Messalonskee Lake. I plan on getting out on the water with the crew team at some point. I’m starting to explore more of Waterville, including RiverWalk at the Head of Falls, as well as the l restaurants downtown. There is such a fun, casual atmosphere. There was even one evening when I had the chance to enjoy music outside the new Lockwood Hotel.
Colby has committed significant resources to ensure the health and safety of the community. What else have you observed about the wellness practices of the students at Colby and how does that affect your plans for Colby’s recreation program?
I have noticed that the students have a genuine desire and commitment to practice fitness and wellness, which means that I will need to diversify our recreation programs and class offerings to make sure we are providing plenty of options. I also need to design programs with content that evolves based on interests and needs, so the students keep visiting the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and taking advantage of all the opportunities that Colby has to offer.
