Campus Section Editor Rachel Williams interviewed Dr. Alison Hynd on April 20 following the first of five Walks with Campus Leaders scheduled for this spring. The walks are each led by a different campus leader and coordinated by Stephanie Willis, Campus Recreation wellness and educational outreach coordinator.

Where did the idea for Walks with Campus Leaders come from?

Dr. Alison Hynd: They asked me, and I said, “Sure that would be great, as long as the weather is nice!”

So what do you think is achieved through these walks?

Hynd: I think people get out and about and it’s an easy thing to do – not easy, but it’s a nice thing to do during lunch hour if you can. When I was working, I used to try and do at least twenty minutes if I didn’t have another opportunity. Especially after the kids came, so you know, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and if you can get out especially on a day like today.

How often are they doing these walks?

Stephanie Willis: We have five scheduled throughout spring right now and then we will probably add more into the schedule as we head into the summer.

Hynd: I think it’s great, I would do another one!

Did you have a role in creating this specific walk? Did you chart it out?

Hynd: No, truthfully I had not walked down by Dodge Hall on foot, I have driven by it.

Was this the first one of spring?

Hynd: It was.

Willis: This walk kicked off our spring walks and it was the first one of 2016.

When was the first walk and why was it created?

Willis: We started in the fall semester and we’re just looking for new and innovative ways to get people to get out of their offices during their lunch break. A lot of the stuff we do is, you know, some of it is really fitness-driven and we wanted this to be, like, a little bit more casual, so it was open to everybody, you know what I mean. We’re not running marathons here [laughs], but yes we were just really looking for new ways to get people out of their office. Hopefully reach a different group of people that maybe weren’t really participating. Students can come, any can come.

Hynd: I would think students would want to come!

How do you think these walks will improve campus life and community?

Hynd: I think that if anybody sees anybody walking on a day like today, I would want to join them!

Willis:  We are looking to encourage that social aspect, get people out, talking. We have a “no work talk” rule! People abide by it.

Hynd: So we were not talking about work!

Willis: We were talking about pets and places to go check out around Rochester!

Hynd: I think that this was a great idea!

Upcoming Walks with Campus Leaders are listed below. All walks gather at 12:00 p.m. at the Elliott Tower.

• April 27 – Housing Residence Hall Directors
• May 9 – Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development
• May 23 – Scott Kunselman, chief operating officer
• June 24 – Patricia Wren, program director of the Health Sciences and Applied Health Sciences Programs