Aaron Stang

Aaron Stang.

Photo credit: University at Buffalo

Published November 4, 2020

Each month, we'll introduce you to an interesting member of the Professional Staff Senate. This month's featured member is Aaron Stang, Associate Athletic Director for Academic Affairs in the Division of Athletics.

How long have you worked at UB?

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A little over a year! I came to UB from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2019.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I love most about my job is having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of student-athletes, not just during their time in college but hopefully for rest of their lives too. I am also fortunate to work with an amazing group of colleagues who work hard each day and dedicate a lot of time to support our student-athletes. 

What is the most difficult part about your job?

The athletics world is non-stop and we are passionate about the work we do. Work-life balance can definitely be challenging at times, but I love what I do and wouldn’t change any of it.

What would you say is your biggest achievement at UB?

When UB moved fully remote in Spring 2020, I couldn’t be more proud of how our Athletic Academic Affairs staff responded and continued to provide high level support to our student-athletes. As an athletic department, we ended the spring semester with the highest departmental GPA we have ever had.

Tell us something about your department that isn’t well known.

As a staff, the advisors in Athlete Academic Affairs meet one on one with over 60% of our student-athletes on a weekly basis in order to provide them with academic support and personal guidance. This includes every freshman and at-risk student-athlete. 

If you were to share some advice for other professional staff, what would it be?

Take care of yourself first. Many of us in higher education dedicate so much time into our work and are passionate about what we do, but to be the best you can be and make the greatest impact on others your own health and wellness needs to come first. 

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do for fun?

I love watching football and I am a diehard Buffalo Bills fan, and as hard as that may be I wouldn’t change that for anything either! I also love going to the movies (when new movies actually used to come out and theatres were open) and hanging out with family and friends. 

Do you have a favorite meal you like to prepare?

I’m pretty much limited to preparing breakfast food, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else. I can order a really great pizza and wings over the phone though.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Tough question, I would say a tropical place like Bora Bora or The Maldives would be cool. There are too many amazing places out there in the world.

Any other fun facts about you?

While I have only worked at UB for a year, I grew up in Hamburg, NY and went to Frontier High School. Buffalo is and will always be my home!