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Marisa Biondolillo began working at Kent State’s Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center as a first-year student, serving as an Operations Assistant. She later proved her professional growth and advanced to Operations Supervisor. During her time with RecWell, she also helped lead the department’s Safety Committee, further strengthening her skills in team coordination and emergency response. 

As Marisa graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, her journey into Recreation and Wellness simply began by searching for a flexible position on campus. Familiar with the Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center from her workouts, she decided to apply, a decision she now considers a significant impact on her college experience.

When asked what her most memorable part of her RecWell journey was, Marisa answered, “My coworkers made the job 10x better.” From first-year students through senior year, she has gotten the chance to build meaningful connections beyond her major and roommates. Working in a large Operations team has taught her how to connect with a wide range of personalities and help create a welcoming environment aligned with the RecWell’s mission. 

Currently, Marisa serves as a night shift ICU nurse at a community hospital. Being a new graduate nurse, she has quickly learned that critical care requires constant attentiveness and awareness. “Things happen very fast,” she explains. “It is a lot of anticipating what will happen next.” Marisa has learned that knowing her patients and recognizing signs has been important in her position. She has taken on responsibilities that demand calm-decision making and technical ability.

Through her time in RecWell and academics, she has felt prepared for her high-pressure environment. The overlap between safety training and clinical coursework gave her hands-on experience in communication, emergency response, and being composed during stressful situations. “It isn’t just walking around,” Marisa says, mentioning her Operations role. She recounts leading stations, training fresh staff, and easing presentations that helped her display her passion for mentoring.

Outside of technical preparation, RecWell supported Marisa’s professional development in several ways. She has learned to be a leader and role model in and out of the department. Marisa was the president of the Students for Professional Nursing Club, reinforcing her desire to step outside her comfort zone, something she encourages current students to do.

“Don’t be afraid to push yourself,” Marisa advises. Though she was initially hesitant to take on the supervisory role, Marisa took the step to challenge herself. Through that opportunity, she found growth.

What does being a former Flash mean to Marisa? From the nursing program to her RecWell position and vibrant Kent community, she says the experience shaped her into the nurse and leader she is today.