Aaron Wainman

About

As an Alum of UWS Aaron developed a passion for student affairs through working as a Hall Manager on campus, serving on the Yellowjacket Activity Crew, and being involved with multiple student committees across campus. This passion lead him to pursue a graduate education in Student Affairs. After graduating, Aaron worked at Southern New Hampshire University as a Residence Director until his partner received a faculty position in Chemistry at UMD. They were thrilled to return to the Twin Ports. He currently resides in Duluth, MN with his partner and dog Ajax.

After returning to the Twin Ports, Aaron applied his transferable skills in management and training, and his passion for coffee, as a Store Manager for Starbucks. Throughout his time at Starbucks, he kept his eyes open for opportunities to return to higher education. After three (3) years with Starbucks, Aaron took a job as a temporary hire as an Academic Advisor at UMD in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering. Here he developed a passion for the one-on-one connections he was able to make with students, and the guidance he was able to give them in helping them navigate their academic careers to reach their life goals. As a first generation, low-income college student himself, when the McNair Scholars Academic Coordinator position was posted, he was overjoyed for the opportunity to give back to students to help them reach their goals of attending graduate education, and to give back to the campus community that encouraged and supported him in doing the same. 

Research Interests

Aaron is interested in the intersectionality of underrepresented minorities and his research proposal addressing barriers for access to graduate education for LGBTQ+ individuals was recently accepted by the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) at UWS. He hopes to one day pursue a Ph.D. in Higher Educational Leadership or Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Most Recent Degrees

2014 - Master of Education (M.Ed) – Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education - University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2012 - Bachelor of Music – Vocal Performance - University of Wisconsin-Superior