Aaron embodies all that the All Together One Awards stands for. His passion for building community and creating a sense of belonging is felt in our department, throughout campus and in our surrounding community. His contagious positivity inspires both students and faculty to feel motivated and empowered at work and beyond. He works daily to show grace and truth to those around him which illustrates his deep care for tothers. Aaron has worked at James Madison University Recreation (UREC) since 2008 serving in multiple roles within the department which is a true testament to his dedication to learning and to improving the campus and community around him.

Aaron currently serves as the Associate Director for Programs. In this role he leads, mentors, and supports ten full time staff, six graduate assistants adn over 250 student employees. Guiding a team of this magnitude surely has its challenges but Aaron leads them with love, compassin and support that inspires a shared vision and upholds the UREC culture beautifully. Despite just starting this role in June, Aaron has fostered a sense of unity on this team that has several full time staff serving in new or different roles. Some of Aaron's current teammates shared the following:

"For all of the reasons meantioned, I agree that Aaron embodies the true spirit of All Together One. In my time working with Aaron he has always displayed a caring attitude towards everyone he interacts with be it a student he knows or doesn't, a faculty member or a team mate. One example I would like to mention is Aaron's previous involvement as a trip leader for a service trip to the Bahamas in 2010 and 2011. In this role he trained, led, and mentored 16-18 JMU students to provide a meaningful connection with 1st-5th graders at Uriah McPhee Elementary in Nassau,Bahamas. To set aside a week of his time to lead this trip shows him commitment to building community not only here at JMU and Harrisonburg, but anywhere he goes. Aaron truly embodies the All Together One theme at JMU."

- Chris Jones, UREC Assistant Director for Sport Clubs & Inclusive Recreation and one of Aaron's direct reports

"Reviewing the suggested topics for nominating a member of the JMU Community, there are quite a few that Aaron exemplifies. Building community, inspiring others, a dedication to learning and fostering collaboration are character traits that Aaron lives as his own personal values. Some examples of building community and fostering collaboration are evident with his work on various committees. Some examples are:

• Madipalooza leadership
• Homecoming Committee
• Community Coalition for Alcohol Abuse

Aaron's dedication to learning and professinoal development are demonstrated in the following examples:

• Co-curricular involvement performance measures
• Lecturer for the Hart School
• Ethical Reasoning in Action Facilitator
• DiSC personality test facilitator
• Presentations locally and nationally"

- Bob Golson, UREC Associate Director for Facilities & Operations, Aaron's former supervisor & 2020 All Together One Recipient

Aaron has also served in several roles with University Recreation to include the following: Coordinator for Intramural Sports & Special Events, Assistant Director for Intramural SPorts & Special Events and Assistant Director for Operations. In the Assistant Director for Operations role, he supervised the highest student leadership position at UREC that included 17 Operations Supervisors. Some of Aaron's former students who reported to him in the Operations Supervisor role at UREC shared the following:

 "Ever since I met Aaron, his passion for developing the growth and leadership skills of UREC employees has been evident. He has always been so invested in hearing about what is happening in my life and providing tangible ways to address situations and grow both myself but also encourage learning conversations with those around me. Not only is he passionate about employees excelling within UREC's walls, he also pushes us to take leadership skills outside of UREC and into both the JMU and Harrisonburg community."

- Kaylee Ann Schwarz, UREC Operations Supervisor, JMU alum May 2020

"Aaron has had an impact on my growth and development since I met him... it's the little things he does and says that helps his student employees develop into better leaders and overall members of a community. Aaron has always supported me while helping me see other opportunties and perspectives in an objective way. He has backed up my post-grad plans and he was the first person I spoke to about what I want to do, and I received nothing but support from him while at the same time received that same objective feedback on how to make my dreams a reality. Aaron's presence in my life and the life of my coworkers is something I wish all students could experience."

- Jennifer Bleecker, UREC Operations Supervisor, JMU alum May 2020

"Aaron has helped instill the confidence in me to trust my gut when making decisions and know that I am no alone. He has also encouraged me to make big decisions with my future and to never settle or play it safe because he has taught me that I have what it takes to succeed. Lastly, he is an incredible listener and is always there to share some wisdom when I'm in need."

- Camille Wolfe, UREC Operations Supervisor, JMU alum December 2021

At every all-staff training which includes over 520 student employees, Aaron is the energizer on the microphone leading the "Hot Hands, UREC" cheer that he created years ago. Physically clapping and chanting in unison serves as a metaphorical illustration to our students the importance of shared vision and a unified culture. That is so critical in the culture of UREC and has set the tone for so many JMU students finding "their place" on campus by working at UREC. Campus focuses on creating belonging for all students in order to improve overall wellbeing and Aaron stives to do that in his roles at UREC.

Aaron is an active professional within NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, a professional organization for campus recreation students and professionals. As an expression of his love for learning, he has attended several annual conferences, regional conferences and state workshops. In addition to attending, Aaron has presented multiple sessions at the events. Aaron is committed to his personal and professional development and has attended both the NIRSA Level 1 and Level 2 Schools and volunteered to help with the Student Lead On workshop in the past. Aaron has also volunteered his time to serve on several NIRSA Intramural committees. Aaron is a certified DiSC Personality Insights trainer and brings this facilitatin to our student leader trainings to help them increase self-awareness so as to better work and grow together as leaders. In addition to educating students at UREC, he has also taught several undergraduate and graduate courses for the JMU Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management as well as courses at Blue Ridge Community College making an impact on students outside of UREC and in the classroom.

Aaron's heart for others is a fruit of his faith. He is a man of God who serves others selflessly and leads all courageously. In his free time away from campus, he has worked to start a non-profit organization called Hope Ridge. Aaron and his wife, Carrie, have worked in collaboration with Bridgewater's Chief of Police and his wife to create a safe place for others to find rest and refuge in the aftermath of or during seasons of challenge, loss or suffering. His work in his church and through our community will surely leave a lasting legacy.

Within our department, our spirited campus and our greater community, Aaron is seen as a leader who motivated and inspires. He brings great energy to any team that he is a part of and pushes those teams towards greater success and collaboration. Aaron is a gift to many as a brother in Christ, a trusted confidant and a passionate role model. 

Written by: Erica Foltz, Assistant Director for Operations, UREC