Emory

Walter Kolis joined Emory as Associate Director of Recreation and Athletic Facility/Operations in May of 2018. He will be responsible for ensuring proper facility operations at the Student Activity and Academic Center (SAAC) and assisting at the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center (WPEC). Kolis will be directly involved in the day to day oversight of the SAAC facility and operations as well as the supervision of the membership program for the WPEC and the SAAC.  He will supervise three full-time professional staff, one graduate assistant, and approximately 75-100 student employees. The SAAC facility has an outdoor Olympic swimming pool, Teaching and Kiddie pools, outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, fitness equipment and studio, sand volleyball court, classrooms and study rooms. This facility serves Emory students, faculty/staff, alumni and the community.

Walter earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with minors in Business Leadership and Communication from University of Dayton. He earned his Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Ball State University.

Kolis comes to Emory from nearby Georgia Tech University where he served as the Assistant Director, Campus Recreation Member Services and Staff Development. He was involved in direct membership recruitment, engagement, and retention for the 25,000+ members at Georgia Tech. In addition, he led the department-wide training and staff development initiatives for the department. Walter has served as the Manager of Aquatic Programs and as the Coordinator of Aquatic Operations at the University of Alabama. While he was a Graduate Assistant at Ball State University, he was in a variety of roles in membership services, informal recreation, programs and aquatics.

Walter is certified as an American Red Cross CPR/AED Instructor and a Certified Pool Operator Instructor. He is a member of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). Currently, he is the Chair of the 2019 NIRSA Annual Conference Program Committee which is a 3 year leadership track. Walter has presented on numerous occasions and was the Chair in 2016 for the NIRSA Region II Conference hosted in Atlanta. 

Walter volunteers his free time to the Atlanta Track Club and is an avid runner.