CENTERS, LLC

09/03/2025

Celebrating Two Years at Longwood! Two years ago, Longwood University selected CENTERS to provide pre-opening advisory services and operational management of the Joan Perry Brock Center. In CENTERS, Longwood found a collaborative partner aligned with the university’s mission and capable of executing a bold operating plan through our entrepreneurial management approach. Working alongside Inc., who returned during the business-planning phase to update the market analysis, we helped position the JPB for long-term success.

Since opening in the summer of 2023, the JPB has redefined the athletic landscape at Longwood, becoming a centerpiece for alum connection, community pride, and fan engagement. Designed with the fan in mind, the 3,000-seat arena combines intimate sightlines, a bold Lancer aesthetic, and cutting-edge technology, including live broadcast capabilities that put Longwood on the national stage. Every detail—down to ticketing systems, data analytics, and alumni engagement events—was built to maximize interaction and loyalty.

More than an athletic venue, the JPB has become a regional hub. From concerts and youth tournaments to university ceremonies and sold-out games, the arena has elevated the student and community experience while also driving recruitment and economic impact across Central Virginia.

As we celebrate two years, we’re proud of what’s been built at Longwood and excited to continue shaping the JPB into a model for how fan engagement can transform campus life and community. Congratulations, team!

09/02/2025

Kendall Vagle, MA, Coordinator of Recreation Programs and Promotions at Campus Recreation at Harper College, was recently featured by Campus Rec Magazine for her innovative approach to using social media in campus recreation. In the article, she shared how Harper College balances communication and community—using a three-to-one ratio of informational to engagement posts, leveraging Facebook to connect with parents and community members, and even utilizing Discord to reach gamers in the Rec Center’s Gaming Lounge. Kendall’s creativity was showcased through a standout plank competition reel that not only boosted online engagement but also encouraged students to attend in person. Being featured by Campus Rec Magazine underscores the impact she is making in building community, fostering student involvement, and shaping fresh, student-centered strategies for recreation professionals nationwide.

Explore how Harper College and Northeastern University use social media in campus recreation to engage students and promote programs.

08/27/2025

Campus innovation is happening everywhere, and the latest CENTERS Impact newsletter highlights how leaders are rethinking student spaces and operations.

- Learn how DePaul University's student-first outsourced management model enhances well-being and revenue in a competitive urban environment.
- See how Johns Hopkins is partnering with CENTERS to launch and manage its first-ever student center.
- Discover how one university saved $500K by bundling Rec, Student Center, and Event & Conference Services.

Explore the full stories and see how CENTERS helps institutions unlock student engagement and operational impact.

Email from CENTERS, LLC Explore bundling, operations, and new partnerships How CENTERS at DePaul Reimagined Campus Recreation A student-first model driving well-being and revenue For more than 25 year

08/22/2025

This month, we celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Foglia Foundation Health and Recreation Center. Since opening, our team has transformed what was once called “the loneliest building on campus” into an inviting and engaging hub for wellness, recreation, health education, and athletics. The center is also home to Harper Hawks Athletics, Kinesiology, and Health Education. Our team continues to show what the future of public institutions looks like in this district, state, and country.

Here’s to continuing to impact what it means to serve the community.

08/19/2025

We’re proud to share that CENTERS has been selected to operate the new Johns Hopkins University Student Center

After a successful pre-opening advisory role, CENTERS has officially transitioned into full-time operations at the university’s first-ever student center which was designed to foster connection, creativity, and community. Opening this month, the 150,000-square-foot LEED Platinum-targeted facility will support over 400 student organizations, feature flexible performance and collaboration spaces, and serve as a vibrant campus hub.

Thank you to our partners at Johns Hopkins for trusting us to bring this incredible facility to life and create a student-centered experience that inspires, empowers, and advances campus life.

Washington, D.C. & Baltimore, MD – August 14, 2025– Johns Hopkins University has named CENTERS as the operations partner for its new Student Center, building on a successful pre-opening advisory relationship that began in 2024.

08/14/2025

Strategic Partnerships That Power Campus Performance

Managing multiple vendors for recreation, tech systems, and maintenance can leave campus leaders juggling mismatched contracts, clunky platforms, and time-consuming processes. At CENTERS, vendor relationships aren’t just business transactions—they’re strategic alliances. By leveraging national reach and scale, CENTERS negotiates top-tier pricing and tailored services, passing these benefits directly to clients with full transparency—no markups, no hidden costs.

This approach delivers measurable results. In 2024 alone, CENTERS generated more than $400,000 in technology savings for clients, allowing institutions to reinvest directly into student programs, facilities, and training. From software platforms to maintenance lifecycle planning, CENTERS streamlines procurement, speeds implementation, standardizes onboarding, and ensures system-wide improvements backed by shared analytics. Their two-way feedback loop means campus staff help shape vendor tools, improving reports, mobile integration, and workflows that benefit the entire network.

Key benefits include:
- Immediate financial wins with significant annual savings
- Streamlined processes that free up staff time and improve service delivery
- Better tools through collaborative enhancements and shared feedback
- Accountability via regular reviews and continuous improvement

As CENTERS grows, so do its vendor partnerships—focusing on scalability, adaptability, and innovation to meet evolving campus needs. The result is consistent quality, proactive improvements, and systems designed to elevate the student experience while keeping operations efficient and cost-effective.

Read the full article to see how these partnerships are transforming campuses nationwide:

Discover how CENTERS uses strategic vendor partnerships to reduce costs, streamline operations, and enhance the student experience on campus.

08/13/2025

Last month, and Wellness Center (RWC) celebrated 10 years of building a strong, connected campus community.

RWC is where students, staff, and members come together to move, learn, and lead. Our team and leadership deliver programs, initiatives, and experiences that strengthen campus life and create lasting impact.

Congratulations to the entire team for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the UMSL community every day.

08/12/2025

Join us in welcoming Eve Esch to CENTERS as the inaugural Executive Director of the Student Center at Johns Hopkins University!

Eve brings more than two decades of leadership experience in student center management to her new role at one of the most anticipated facilities in JHU history. She has a proven track record of building vibrant, inclusive campus environments, and we know she’s the right person to lead this next chapter.

Eve will oversee daily operations, student engagement, and strategic collaboration across campus to ensure the student center becomes a home base for all Blue Jays. We’re thrilled to have her on board!

Read More: https://centersusa.com/eve-esch-named-executive-director-of-the-johns-hopkins-university-student-center/

08/01/2025

Congratulations to Amy De Leon-Albrecht from Texas Tech - the winner of our 2025 NACUBO Annual Meeting giveaway! 🎉

07/29/2025

ICYMI: Our team was on the ground at the 2025 NACUBO Annual Meeting, collaborating with higher education business officers on bold solutions for the industry's biggest challenges.

07/27/2025

We are ready with Brailsford & Dunlavey at National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)!

07/27/2025

Brailsford & Dunlavey & CENTERS, LLC at National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) come say hi!