Aaron Cook
Senior Assistant Director
University of Missouri
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
Serving students as an academic advisor in Mizzou’s Trulaske College of Business, I was asked to move into a new recruitment and retention role for the college. I quickly realized connecting prospective students and their support networks to our faculty, staff, students, and programs was a true passion of mine. In 2014, our Office of Admissions executive director offered me an opportunity to move to Houston, Texas, to open regional admission markets in Houston and Southern California. Looking back, saying yes, and taking provided opportunities has turned this into a career.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Watching students have that “ah ha” moment when they figure out their next step.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
NACAC has connected me to colleagues around the world who are now considered lifelong friends who I can count on as a sounding board. NACAC also continues to provide me continuing education opportunities on a regular basis with in-person and virtual programming.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Staffing and pay. The industry experienced a major hit during the pandemic by creating a vacuum of talent from those who should be in middle management roles today. While many industries became attractive to young workers due to remote work, several admission functions still require in-person and face-to-face interactions. At the same time, starting salaries for new admission reps have not kept up with trends in starting salaries for recent graduates going into other career fields.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
Look for me at Walt Disney World. I am probably enjoying the sights and sounds or running a runDisney race.
What five words would you use to describe yourself?
1: Cheerleader
2: Advocate
3: Connector
4: Collaborator
5: Listener
Published Jan. 6, 2025