Campus visit brings dad (and daughter) to MVNU

The new Dean of Students, Aaron Quinn, brings an arsenal of life experience to the campus of MVNU. His resume includes work as a sergeant at the Ohio State Patrol, as well as the Safety Director and Dean of Students at Rio Grande University.

Quinn also is an ordained minister and a former college basketball player at Rio Grande.

His unique path led to his new role as Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator at MVNU, Quinn said.

“God masterfully put all the pieces in place to bring me here,” he said.

Originally from West Jefferson, Ohio, Quinn spent time at Capital University, Ohio University and Ohio Dominican University before attending the Ohio State Patrol Academy.

After 12 years and a promotion to Sergeant, he sustained an injury in the line of duty that forced him to change his career path in 2005.

Quinn then enrolled at the University of Rio Grande to complete his degree in Criminal Justice. While there, he was offered a spot on the basketball team by Rio Grande coach Ken French.

At 35 years old, Quinn earned a starting position on the team and, after his eligibility expired, he became the assistant coach. Following graduation, Quinn accepted the position of Safety

Director at Rio and later left to serve as their Dean of Students.

“For about the past year, God had been working on my heart,” Quinn said. “The season of my life at Rio was coming to an end. He wanted me somewhere else.”

During a college visit to MVNU with his daughter, Quinn recalls being “immediately moved by the environment and feeling a peace about being here.”

A conversation with Vice President for Student Life Joe Noonen then revealed the possibility of a career at MVNU.

“As Dean of Students, I want to contribute to a holistic approach to our students’ experience,” Quinn said. “I am firmly convinced that students learn as much outside of the classroom as they do in a classroom.”

Quinn and his wife Lovel have two children, Ethan and Madeline. Ethan currently attends Ohio Dominican University where he plays football and majors in exercise studies. Madeline is a freshman biology major at MVNU.

Lovel, also a graduate from Rio Grande, is a real estate agent who is currently relocating her license to Knox County.

In his free time, Quinn enjoys camping, hiking, horseback riding and physical fitness. He was ordained through the Freewill Baptist Church in June of this year and served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon for his home church.

Quinn said he looks forward to continuing his ministry to the students of MVNU in his new position.