Sharon A. Aiken-Wisniewski

Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director for the Higher Education Program in the Dept. of Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP) at the University of Utah. Her career has focused on programs and services that promote undergraduate access, retention, and goal completion in the role of practitioner, administrator, and educator. These areas include academic advising, first year experience courses & services, orientation, peer mentoring, enrollment management services offered through a One Stop Shop model, and retention technology tools. Through these areas, her experience in developing, planning, and implementing programs has evolved over a 25 year career.

In her current position, Dr. Aiken-Wisniewski teaches courses focused on student affairs and higher education, advises graduate students, serves as co-editor for the NACADA Journal, and is a Fellow for the Excellence in Academic Advising Initiative. Her research focus is informed by her blended identities as an educator, administrator, advising practitioner, and scholar. She infuses her lived experiences with research opportunities to gain meaning and perspective. To further promote understanding of the scholar-practitioner experience, she has facilitated and participated in research teams, which investigate the meaning of various components of the undergraduate experience and inform program development. Her research has focused on women's career choices, women’s experiences in higher education, and academic advising as a profession.