Aaron E. Susmarski graduated from Gannon University in 2009 with his Bachelors of Health Science, focusing on Sports and Exercise Sciences. He then continued his education at the University Of Dayton School Of Law where he graduated early in two and a half years’ with his Juris Doctorate.
Growing up in Erie, he participated in cross-country, basketball and soccer at Our Lady’s Christian School and continued on to play soccer and wrestle at Cathedral Preparatory School. He’s always had a love of sports, but also felt a calling to help people. Not quite sure how he wanted to help others, his love for sports led him to Gannon’s Health Science Program. While attending Gannon, Aaron assisted with the Kanzius Cancer Research Project and was actively involved with the Sports and Exercise Science Club. Aaron knew he wanted to do more with his career, and continued on to law school where he focused on Intellectual Property.
After law school, Aaron worked as in-house counsel at MTR Gaming Group, Inc. and after several years returned to Erie to advance his career. Aaron currently serves as the Institutional Director of Human Resources, Institutional Title IX Coordinator and EEO Coordinator for the largest medical school in the United States, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). Aaron is also a Partner at Susmarski, Hain and Jiuliante where he performs pro-bono work for local veterans through his private law practice.
In his free time, Aaron enjoys working out at the gym and spending time outdoors. He also enjoys being a volunteer board member for several organizations throughout Erie. Not only is Aaron the president of Gannon's National Alumni Board, he currently sits on the Prep/Villa Finance Board, St. Julia’s Pastoral Council, Gannon University Legal Studies Program Advisory Board and the Great Lakes Institute of Technology’s Program Advisory Committee for the Dental Assisting Program.
Aaron had several professors who provided guidance throughout his education. He states that his hands down, favorite class was Nutrition with Dr. Kitts, who along with Dr. Willow was a great inspiration to him. He truly believes in making oneself marketable by establishing a diversified skill set. His advice to students is to be a problem solver and to continue to seek opportunities to advance in his/her career.
(Published December 2016)