College of Education and Human Development

From NOVA Parks to the Last Frontier: Brenden Powers ’23 Finds His Calling in Alaska’s Community Recreation

Brenden Powers isn’t one to shy away from an adventure. As the Indoor Recreation Supervisor for Anchorage Parks and Recreation in Alaska, he’s found himself thousands of miles from Northern Virginia—but right where he belongs.

Powers, a proud alumnus of George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM), oversees the Spenard Community Recreation Center, where no two days are the same. From managing daily operations and summer camps to launching city-wide youth initiatives, Powers leads with purpose, empathy, and an unshakeable belief in the power of public service. “Typical days are far and few when it comes to working within parks and recreation. But every day, I know we’re making a difference.”

Brenden’s journey into recreation management wasn’t always obvious; after enrolling at Northern Virginia Community College in 2018 and working part-time for NOVA Parks at Fountainhead Regional Park, that’s where he found his spark—and his mentor. “I absolutely fell in love with the work I was doing—being outside, interacting with my community, and brightening someone’s day,” he says. It was Nancy Chamberlain, his supervisor at the time and now an adjunct professor in the Recreation Management program of SRTM, who offered him the words that would change everything: “Let’s turn your passion into a profession.” That encouragement was all he needed to transfer to George Mason and dive headfirst into the field of parks and recreation.

At George Mason, Powers found more than an academic home—he found a community that believed in him. “Every professor pushed me further than I imagined. They didn’t just want me to succeed; they believed in me even before I believed in myself.” He credits the coursework and faculty support for building a professional foundation he still draws from today. The SRTM program’s focus on accessibility, administrative practices, and the psychology of recreation helped him understand the deeper impact of his work beyond daily operations. His internships—first with the Bureau of Land Management and Chesapeake Conservancy, and later with the American Conservation Experience—would eventually lead him to Alaska.

Now in Anchorage, Powers is putting all of it into action. In just six months in his current role, he’s helped shape programs that provide critical support to youth and families in the city. With Anchorage facing a growing homelessness crisis, he and his team partnered with local nonprofit Juanita Strong & Hennings Inc. to provide free meals to anyone under 18, five days a week—no questions asked. The Spenard Community Recreation Center also opens its doors daily to youth at no cost, giving them a safe space to play and belong. Adults can participate in additional programming for as little as $3.

“We’re also offering one of the most affordable summer camps in the state,” he says. At just $190 a week, the camp is ACA-accredited and packed with STEM, arts, outdoor adventure, and field trips across Alaska. What we’ve accomplished so far is only the beginning. I couldn’t be more proud of my team.”

Powers’ decision to move to Alaska was part childhood dream, part personal challenge. He grew up captivated by the Disney classic movie Brother Bear and later found himself inspired by Outdoor Boys, the popular YouTube channel created by fellow George Mason alumnus Luke Nichols, J.D. ’09. “Watching Luke’s adventures in the Alaskan wilderness really lit a fire in me,” Powers says. “I love a challenge, and Alaska just called to me. All the recreational activities I enjoy—hiking, fishing, skiing—they’re all elevated here. Once the idea was in my head, I couldn’t get it out.”

Outside of work, Brenden embraces every season. Winters are filled with cross-country skiing, snowboarding, skating, and watching weekend dog mushing races. Summers bring endless daylight, hiking, biking, and outdoor exploration. “It’s truly insane how much you can do when the sun doesn’t set,” he remarks.

Reflecting on his George Mason experience, Powers speaks with deep appreciation. “To me, being an alumnus means being part of something far greater than just a degree. It means carrying forward the torch of empathy, equity, and lifelong learning that was ignited during my first few minutes at George Mason University,” he says. “Every child I teach, every life I touch, I do so with the knowledge that I am standing on the shoulders of the professors, classmates, and community who believed in me when I was still learning what it meant to believe in myself.”

His advice for students hoping to follow a similar path is simple but powerful: “Work hard, keep an open mind, and always arrive 15 minutes early. Your passion can absolutely become your profession, and George Mason will give you the foundation to make it real.”

Powers closed with a heartfelt thank you to the SRTM faculty and staff who helped shape his journey, “You didn’t just teach me facts or theories. You taught me resilience, compassion, and how to lead with integrity. You saw potential in me before I knew it existed and helped mold me into the man I am today. Because of you, I leave not just with a degree, but with purpose, confidence, and a heart full of gratitude. I carry your lessons with me every single day.”

From NOVA Parks to the far reaches of Anchorage, Brenden Powers ’23 is living proof of what’s possible when passion meets purpose—and when a George Mason education helps light the way.