Aaron Austin is a Consultant at TNG and Advisory Board Member for NABITA with over 25 years of experience in student affairs and behavioral intervention. He works with institutions on threat assessment, crisis response, and supporting students in distress through an equity-informed lens.

His areas of focus include bias assessment and response, mental health training for non-clinicians, and student conduct systems. Austin has presented nationally on the intersections of race, identity, and student support. He trains and consults with public and private institutions on Title IX basics for student-athletes, classroom management, policy and procedure reviews, campus climate assessments, and residence life.

Before joining TNG, Austin’s career in higher education allowed him to serve as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Wichita State University, Vice President for Student Life at Bethel College, and Assistant Director of Residence Life and University Student Housing at Texas Tech University. He has also held leadership roles in residence life and admissions at the University of California, San Diego, Arizona State University, and Kansas State University. Throughout his extensive career in higher education, he has led initiatives on racial equity, strategic planning, and training for students and professional staff. He has also served in various roles on CARE teams and Title IX committees.

Austin’s approach is rooted in cultural humility, relationship-building, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities he serves. Guided by principles of restorative practice, he fosters connectedness by prioritizing institutional context and engaging collaborative strategies. Valued for his authenticity and care, he works to strengthen community safety and student belonging. He is an invited speaker for regional and national conferences, including the Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education from Texas Tech University, where he wrote his doctoral dissertation, “An Exploration of Black Male Undergraduate Achievement Utilizing an Anti-Deficit Framework.” He also holds an M.Ed. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Arizona State University and a B.M.E. in Music Education with a minor in American Ethnic Studies from Kansas State University.

Austin lives in Kansas with his wife and daughter and remains a dedicated fan of K-State and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In volunteer roles, he has served as the Secretary of the Kappa Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and as a Campus Advisor for the fraternity. He also served as a Board Member of the K-State Alumni Association and currently sits on the Culture, Climate, and Equity Committee for Derby (KS) Unified School District (USD) 260.