{"id":1088,"date":"2024-12-11T10:06:40","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T15:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/?p=1088"},"modified":"2025-09-17T15:19:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T19:19:43","slug":"wellness-spotlights-sharon-lowenstein-custer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/2024\/12\/wellness-spotlights-sharon-lowenstein-custer\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharon (Lowenstein) Custer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Name | Years at Miami | City, State<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sharon (Lowenstein) Custer | 1994-1997 | Fairfield Township, OH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Title | Current Employer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Senior Director of Analytics, Strategy, and Operations | Miami University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1997, BA, Sociology & Political Science (Miami)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019, Ph.D. Educational Leadership (Miami)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1999, Master of Social Work, University of Cincinnati<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Describe your previous role with Miami Recreation.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

I was hired for reception and to scan IDs, however, the team quickly learned we did better with 30 min rotations throughout the facility. We were crossed-trained to support the fitness center, courts, and rentals (I washed a lot of towels over the years). My junior year, I was promoted to a manager role and also supported Phillips and Withrow activities. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What does health, wellness and recreation mean to you and why is it important in your life?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

Over the years, I have realized that health, wellness, and recreation are bigger than physical health. I am intentional about incorporating other wellness domains into my work and home such as mental and emotional health, social, environmental, and intellectual. In my current role at Miami, I advocate for everyone to engage in a comprehensive wellness approach when supporting themselves, our students, or our staff. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do you do to recreate, live well, and have fun?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

In addition to working out (primarily weight lifting), I love being outside either in the garden or taking walks. I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures and communities. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How did your role in Miami Recreation help you get to where you are today?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

Miami Recreation provided opportunities not only for friendships and wellness appreciation but also provided me the experience needed to secure a graduate assistant position at the University of Cincinnati in their Rec Sports and Intramural programs while working on my masters. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advice that you would give a first-year college student at Miami today <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

You don\u2019t want to look back at your time with regret for not getting involved earlier or not trying new things when you had a chance. Each semester, set new goals for yourself to try a new activity, talk to someone new in class, or explore a new part of the campus. Miami is truly the place to learn and grow, but only if you allow yourself to be open to those experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Miami Recreation Memory<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

One of my friend\u2019s brothers would often come to the Rec Center while his parents were working. He was a kind young man with Down syndrome and was more comfortable shooting baskets casually compared to other players who were engaged in various games. Most of the time, our other customers ignored him, but one student would frequently come in and hang out with him for a bit, taking turns shooting baskets, Wally Szczerbiak. Watching them together from the track would always make me smile.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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