Aaron Buzay GS’05, GS’11 named Alumnus of the Year for the Graduate School/College of Adult & Professional Studies
After finding success in corporate retail, Aaron Buzay GS’05, GS’11 knew his life needed more balance around his top three values—God, family, and work. Since, he’s found a calling in higher education. Today, he leads several offices at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.
By Jason Schoonover ’09, senior web content specialist
October 09, 2024 | 2:30 p.m.
By 22, Aaron Buzay GS’05, GS’11 was fulfilling a version of the American dream. He grew up valuing hard work, thanks to his parents—both educators with roots on Midwestern farms—and his first job was maintaining cemeteries and digging graves as a teen in Anoka, Minnesota. Then in just a few years, he went from pushing carts at Menards to a key leadership role in the corporate office, working directly with the company’s CEO and founder.
He was reaping the benefits of his strong work ethic, but his life was out of balance. “I realized that work can't be everything,” he says. “There has to be a balance between what I have prioritized in my life, which is God, family, and work." After a season of burnout, Buzay applied to Bethel’s M.A. in Teaching program. While teaching wasn’t a good fit, Buzay discovered a call to higher education. He returned to Bethel’s MBA program and worked for the university as director of finance, which helped him connect his love of finance and leadership with ways to invest in students. “That was a really beautiful pivot for me, understanding that both hands of the economic model and the education model need to be firmly placed together to create a good and balanced institution,” he says.
“I realized that work can't be everything. There has to be a balance between what I have prioritized in my life, which is God, family, and work."
— Aaron Buzay GS’05, GS’11Buzay has continued to carve a career in higher education leadership and philanthropy, working for Bethel, Rasmussen College, Stanford University, and Harvard University before his current role as associate vice president and dean at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. He oversees the Department of Advancement, connecting people and organizations to invest in the institution, and the Office of Career and Professional Development, helping students and alumni find jobs or navigate career transitions. He also oversees Roger Williams’ conferences and symposiums.
Buzay continues to love working in higher education and sharing its value. He strives to highlight what college really means: discovery—a time for students to find themselves and challenge their worldview. “That is the true value of higher education: training students, equipping them, and guiding them for their journey,” he says. Buzay remains driven by a passion for helping others find meaning and purpose. His focus at Roger Williams is on building relationships that inspire generosity and equip students for success. “My favorite thing about my job is connecting it back to the students,” he says.
Bethel honors outstanding alumni each year through the Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Awards and 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award. If you know an incredible alum who deserves to be recognized, let us know! Nominations are accepted year-round.
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