Interview with Aaron Koehne, Community Engagement Specialist
In the realm of higher education, it's not uncommon for individuals to find their true calling beyond their initial academic pursuits. Such is the case with Aaron Koehne, a former accounting major at Grand Canyon University (GCU), who now manages the university's Local Outreach department.
Local Outreach, a ministry that extends into the community to share faith and perform good deeds, is based at Colter Commons, a senior living facility near GCU's main campus. The department relies heavily on student leaders, giving them responsibility and allowing them to answer for each ministry as their "little nonprofit."
Aaron's transition from accounting to managing the Local Outreach department might not have a widely circulated or detailed public story. However, his journey reflects a trend common in universities and nonprofit organizations: how individuals with diverse academic backgrounds find meaningful work in community engagement, outreach, or student services.
Many students discover a passion for community service or nonprofit management during their university years, regardless of their original major. For someone like Aaron, this could mean participating in volunteer work, student organizations, or church groups while earning an accounting degree. This path might have led Aaron to develop a greater interest in helping others.
Accounting provides a solid foundation in organization, financial management, and attention to detail, skills that are valuable assets for managing nonprofit or outreach programs. These skills are essential for budgeting, reporting, and efficient resource allocation, which are key aspects of both fields.
Working in university outreach often requires a blend of administrative, communicational, and interpersonal skills. Those who move into such roles from other backgrounds frequently do so by demonstrating leadership in volunteer settings or by performing well in entry-level university jobs and taking on additional responsibilities.
Aaron's journey is a testament to this trend. He began as a volunteer in Local Outreach ministries and, after a year of working in accounting, transitioned to the department's manager. His passion for supporting students and seeing them grow as leaders in Local Outreach is evident in his role today, where he manages 23 groups and 114 student leaders.
One of the coordinators hired by Aaron, Alexis Lopez, was previously a student leader in Local Outreach with him at Colter Commons. This shows that the success of Local Outreach is largely due to the efforts of its student leaders who are out there doing the work.
For those seeking more details about Aaron Koehne's personal journey, it would be best to reach out to GCU directly or consult official announcements or interviews, if available. However, Aaron's story serves as an inspiration for students and professionals alike, demonstrating that passion, adaptability, and a desire to make a difference can lead to rewarding careers in unexpected places.
- Aaron Koehne, initially an accounting major at Grand Canyon University (GCU), now manages the university's Local Outreach department, which is based at Colter Commons.
- The Local Outreach department relies heavily on student leaders, providing them with opportunities to answer for each ministry as their "little nonprofit."
- Many students may find a passion for community service or nonprofit management during their university years, regardless of their original major, as Aaron did while earning an accounting degree.
- Accounting provides a solid foundation in organization, financial management, and attention to detail, skills that are valuable assets for managing nonprofit or outreach programs.
- Working in university outreach often requires a blend of administrative, communicational, and interpersonal skills, with many moving into such roles by demonstrating leadership in volunteer settings or performing well in entry-level university jobs.
- Aaron began as a volunteer in Local Outreach ministries and, after a year of working in accounting,transitioned to the department's manager, currently managing 23 groups and 114 student leaders.
- One of the coordinators hired by Aaron, Alexis Lopez, was previously a student leader in Local Outreach with him at Colter Commons, demonstrating the impact of student leaders on the department's success.
