Our Team

  • Sara Negrette serves as the Director of Fitness and Wellness, where she oversees fitness programming at the Dodge Fitness Center.

    Negrette holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a bachelor of science degree in Nutrition and Food Studies from New York University. In 2001, she earned an Associate Degree as a Fitness Specialist from San Diego City College in 2001.

    Negrette is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a Personal Trainer since 2001. She has specific training in corrective exercise and functional movement, and is a certified CPR Instructor with the American Red Cross.

  • Kayla is the Assistant Director of Recreation Operations at the Dodge Fitness Center.

    Kayla supervises the Dodge Fitness Center, supports all aspects of Recreation Operations, including the day-to-day operations, student development, hiring, scheduling, and payroll accounting. She also oversees the PEREC Student Creative Marketing team. 

    Prior to coming to Columbia, Kayla was working as a Tier 3 Personal Trainer at Equinox and assisting the American College of Sports Medicine in writing grant applications and aiding universities in increasing physical activity and student involvement. Before that, Kayla was at Binghamton University, where she accumulated a variety of experience in recreational management as she served as the Graduate Assistant of Fitness and Wellness and Personal Training Manager.

    Kayla earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems and Leadership Consulting from Binghamton University. Outside the Dodge Fitness Center, Kayla enjoys exploring the city, trying new food, and teaching her dog new tricks.

     

  • Jeff Ryder began his role as Columbia University’s Director of Physical Education and Recreation Associate in Physical Education on September 1, 2017.

    "Jeff will be a wonderful addition to the Physical Education and Recreation staff,” Senior Associate Athletics Director Jacqueline Blackett said. “His background provides an opportunity for increased emphasis in recreation and general campus wellness." 

    Ryder arrives in Morningside Heights after spending the previous eight years with CENTERS, LLC at the University of New Haven in several different capacities including the Assistant Director for Student Development and Activities, the Interim Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness and most recently as its Senior Assistant Director for Recreation and Competitive Sports. During his tenure, Ryder had full responsibility for operating budgets, developing marketing standards, staff recruitment, training and assessment, in addition to oversight of the fitness and wellness programs, intramural sports, club sports and open recreational programs.

    Ryder’s staff collaborated with campus partners on fitness and recreation initiatives. A member of several campus-wide committees, he has also worked closely with the University community by administering programming that focused on the University’s six core competencies: leadership, communication, resiliency, global and cultural awareness, critical thinking and teamwork.

    Prior to his tenure in New Haven, Ryder served as the Interim Coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports at Indiana University-South Bend. He also served nearly two years as a Graduate Assistant in the Campus Recreation department at Minnesota State University, Mankato (2006-08).

    A Medford, N.J. native, Ryder earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Business Economics from Rutgers University in 2006. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Sports Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2008.

    He relocated to New York City with his wife Allison.

  • David is the Assistant Director of Recreation Operations- Memberships at the Dodge Fitness Center.

    David Troy supervises the Dodge Fitness Center, manages all aspects of Recreation Operations staff including the day-to-day operations, supervision, student development, and open recreation. He also oversees all membership sales and the Membership Office Attendant staff.

    Prior to coming to Columbia, David was working with HealthFitness, at Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, David worked in their Campus Recreation Department as the Membership Coordinator where he oversaw all day-to-day operations of the Membership Office, including membership sales and management of the department recreation software system.

    A Barnstead, N.H. native, Troy earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Studies from the University of New Hampshire in 2019. While not at the Dodge Fitness Center, David enjoys playing sports, fishing, and spending time outside with his family.

  • Colin is the Director of Recreation Operations at the Dodge Fitness Center.

    Colin Allison supervises the Dodge Fitness Center, manages all aspects of Recreation Operations staff including the day-to-day operations, supervision, student development, and open recreation. He also oversees fitness equipment inventory and maintenance.

    Prior to coming to Columbia, Colin was at Santa Clara University. During his time at SCU, Colin worked in their Campus Recreation Department as the Assistant Director of Aquatics and Membership. He oversaw all aspects of facility access, pool operations, student development, and membership sales. Prior to SCU, Colin worked at the University of California, Santa Cruz as a Facility and Operations Supervisor in the Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports. He was responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of their main and satellite complexes, facility & field maintenance, and guest services. Before joining the staff at UC-Santa Cruz, Colin had worked at the University of New Haven as a Graduate Assistant of Campus Recreation, at Villanova University as an Intramural Coordinator Intern, and for Gatorade as a Team Leader and Brand Ambassador. 

    A West Milford, New Jersey native, Colin earned a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Rutgers University in 2012. He went on to earn a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of New Haven in 2015. He is an active member of NIRSA, Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, having led multiple presentations on various recreational facilities and operations topics. While not at Dodge Fitness Center, Colin enjoys going on hikes, taking his dog to the park, and cooking.

  • Brian Jines is in his 12th year as Columbia University’s Director of Intramurals and Club Sports. As part of his duties, Jines oversees Columbia’s intramural and club sports program, secures facility scheduling and coordinates Club Sport travel, develops rules and guidelines for participants and maintains program budgets.

    Prior to arriving at Morningside Heights, Jines served two years as the Assistant Director of Intramurals and Club Sports at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. (1999-2001).

    He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching from SUNY-Cortland in 1997 and later earned his master’s degree in Health Education in 1999.

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