Photos by Kevin Hinchey,
UNH Human Resources

If you participate in one of UNH's non-credit fitness programs, you'll see Linda Hayden. If you spend any amount of time at the Outdoor Pool, you'll see Linda Hayden. If you attend the Homecoming Road Race, you'll see Linda Hayden. She seems to be everywhere and she likes it that way.

After getting her B.A. in Health and Physical Education (K-12) from Gettysburg College, Linda came to UNH in 1986. "I was home from graduate school looking for a job in teaching, coaching or recreation, when I saw the ad for UNH" Linda said. "My graduate assistantship at UNC-Greensboro had been one year with the Recreation Department and I had enjoyed it. I wanted to stay on the east coast and thought it might be OK for a few years. I honestly did not think I'd be here long, since I am not a skier nor a lover of winter. I was obviously wrong."

In her position of Assistant Director, Fitness/Wellness/Aquatics, Linda's responsibilities include overseeing all non-credit fitness programs (aerobics, personal fitness training, massage therapy, ballroom dancing, capoiera, self defense, yoga, pilates, women's self defense, "and whatever else we can find that students want"), American Red Cross programs, the Outdoor Pool, and several special events, like the Homecoming Road Race." Linda is certified by 2 national organizations as a Group Fitness Instructor and an American Red Cross lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, cpr/first aid instructor, and cpr/first aid instructor trainer. "I hire, train, and evaluate staff in these programs," she says, "while maintaining equipment/materials inventories and dealing with getting things fixed when necessary. I develop the schedules, coordinate the facility scheduling of these programs, and produce the marketing plans for each one. I oversee the duties of one grad student (new this year) and often teach within the programs I'm running or developing." Of this aspect of her position, she states, "teaching is my first love. I am most satisfied when I am working directly with people and not as satisfied with paperwork and office details. I enjoy seeing people succeed, whether it be in the aerobics studio or on the PAT Council (which was one of my best experiences here at UNH)."

Serving on the PAT Council for 5 years allowed Linda many opportunities. "The group of people I served with, the issues we dealt with and how we dealt with them was very important to me," Linda states. "We were a very happy, positive group. We knew that we were only an advisory committee and we couldn't force change, but we came up with options and focused on making things better. It allowed me to meet so many people with tons of experience and so much to give to UNH who I would never have known. I learned there are really talented people here doing really amazing things."

When asked who or what at UNH has had a positive impact on her, Linda's response was "My former boss, Lynn Heyliger-White, hired me and was a true mentor when I arrived in NH. I actually lived with her and her first husband (Don Heyliger, who died of heart complications that year) for 3 months while I looked for an apartment and got used to the job. I became part of the family. She made me think and work hard, while supporting my efforts and giving lots of praise. She gave me the freedom to explore new ideas and develop new programs. I never felt like I couldn't walk into her office with an issue, either personal or workwise. She retired after 28 years at UNH......I hope I can make it that long in the industry!"

"I love the seacoast area," Linda says. "I enjoy what I do and I love my interactions with students. Nobody teaches for the money, they just love what they do. I love to teach all levels and as long as I can still do a little of it, I'm happy. Nobody wishes they could spend more time at work, but I'm having a great time! It's all about education. When you see the lightbulb come on for someone, that's what it's all about."

Linda and her husband Roger (owner of Hayden Sports and The Out Back Gift and Frame shop in Durham) live in Dover, and have "2 very active little boys, Ryan 8 1/2 and Sean 6, that keep us quite busy." Though she and Roger married 11 years ago, Linda is constantly surprised by the number of staff who might know only one or the other of them, and when seeing them together at an event say "Is that your husband/wife? I never knew that!"