In the spring of 2026, the Athletics Office at WSU gained a new Associate Director of Recreation and Wellness, Meredith Merchant. Meredith came to WSU from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she served as the Assistant Director of Facilities and Recreation for fourteen years. A native of Danielson, CT, Meredith completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Connecticut State University in Sports and Leisure Management with a concentration in Health and Fitness and also received a Doctorate of Education with a higher education administration focus from Northeastern University.
As the Associate Director of Recreation and Wellness, Meredith oversees many areas within the Athletics Department, including intramural and recreational programming, campus wellness programming, group exercise and fitness initiatives, and student worker oversight for the Wellness and Fitness Centers. She also manages the club sport program that recently transitioned to Athletics from the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development. For professional and community involvement, Meredith is involved in the organization National Intramural and Recreation Association and has served on planning committees and has volunteered with the organization since starting her career in the field.
Meredith’s transition into her new role at Worcester State has led to professional growth and changed her as a leader in the short time that she has been here. She enjoys the opportunity to work in an environment with her colleagues that allows her to make her own decisions based on her years of expertise and to try new programming and create new opportunities for our students. “My department has also been an instrumental part of my experience and growth at Worcester State. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with and value being part of a department where we support one another, share ideas, and work toward common goals. Having colleagues I can collaborate with, learn from, and rely on has helped me grow while also making me feel connected to the university and the work we are doing together.”
Meredith’s passion for recreation and wellness programming has influenced how she views the student experience in the university setting. “Having responsibility for recreation in its entirety has broadened my perspective as a professional. I am able to look at the full picture — from student employment and retention to intramurals, fitness, group exercise, personal training, wellness, and club sports — and consider how each area connects to the larger student experience. It has allowed me to think more strategically about how we build programs, use our resources, and create opportunities that students want to be part of.”
When asked what one of the biggest lessons of leadership that she has learned throughout her career, Meredith believes the value of trust is so important within the workplace between colleagues and trusting in those that she also leads. “I have always believed in having clear expectations, accountability, and high standards, but I have seen how important it is to also give people the space to take ownership of their work. As a leader, I do not need to be involved in every decision for something to be successful. My role is to provide direction, resources, and support, while also allowing others the opportunity to contribute their expertise, make decisions, and grow.”
Meredith defines a great leader as “someone who creates an environment where people are trusted, supported, challenged, and given the opportunity to succeed.” She also believes that providing accountability and clear expectations allows people the independence to do their job.
Willingness to make decisions is also an important aspect of a great leader. Meredith believes that taking risks and making decisions based on the information and adjusting when necessary is also important. “ I think people need to know that their leader is willing to stand behind both the decisions being made and the people doing the work.”
“A great leader also recognizes that success is not just about their own accomplishments. It is about developing the people around them, recognizing their strengths, listening to their perspectives, and giving them opportunities to grow. Some of the most meaningful moments in leadership are when you see someone you have worked with become more confident, take on greater responsibility, or accomplish something they did not initially think they could do.”
Working as a woman in collegiate recreation has had a distinct impact on how Meredith approaches leadership. In a field stereotypically dominated by men, Meredith has learned to advocate for herself and others by using her voice to produce change and provide meaningful experiences for students. She has learned many lessons of leadership from both men and women throughout her career and she has valued their respect and support as she grew as a leader and a professional.
“One piece that has always resonated with me is Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena.” I connect with the idea that the credit belongs to the person who is willing to actually step into the arena — to do the work, take risks, make decisions, and sometimes get things wrong. Over the years, I have come to think about what it means to be a woman in that arena.”
“For me, being a woman in the arena is not about proving that I belong there. It is about being willing to show up authentically, trust my experience, contribute my perspective, and lead even when leadership requires difficult decisions. It has also made me more conscious of how important it is to create environments where other people feel equally comfortable bringing their own identities, experiences, and perspectives forward.”
When asked what one of the biggest misconceptions of what makes a good leader is, Meredith believes that a good leader does not need to have all of the answers or be involved in every decision. The ability to create a well-balanced team of varying strengths, experience, and expertise within our organization and then trusting them to use that expertise to get the job done is the sign of a great leader.
Also, Meredith thinks the sign of a strong leader is someone who is able to take a step back. “If everything can only function when the leader is in the room, I don’t know that you have truly developed your team. A great leader shouldn’t need to be the most important person in the room; they should help create a room full of people who know that what they contribute is important.”
When asked if she had any advice to give students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader they hope to become, Meredith believes in giving yourself a little grace when it comes to figuring out the leader you would like to be. “You do not need to know exactly what kind of leader or person you want to become when you are just beginning. Some of that will come from the people you meet, the experiences you have, the mistakes you make, and even the leaders you encounter who show you what you do — and do not — want your own leadership to look like.”
Meredith believes that students need to take chances and risks during their personal leadership exploration. Stepping out of your comfort zone to try out new opportunities, experiences, and challenges will only make you a better leader. The leadership journey never ends, and exploring those different aspects of leadership and taking chances will only help students grow in their own personal and professional journey.
“Figure out what matters to you, stay true to who you are, surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, and then use whatever position you are in to leave things a little better than you found them. You don’t have to wait until you have a title to be a leader, and you don’t have to wait until someday to start changing the world.”
