Aaron Thomas

Aaron Thomas is a 2024-2025 Self Memorial Scholar pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) through the City/County Management Fellowship at the University of Kansas (KU). This prestigious program combines coursework with a Management Internship at the City of Mission Hills, KS, providing Aaron with invaluable firsthand experience in public service leadership. He is also a 2024-2025 Daicoff Public Administration Scholar, a recipient of The John Nalbandian Scholarship, and a recipient of The Sims Student Opportunity Scholarship.

Aaron brings a strong academic foundation to his MPA trajectory. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration, complemented by a minor in project management from the KU School of Professional Studies and a professional certificate in arts engagement from the KU School of the Arts. His academic achievements are further accentuated by his induction into the KU chapters of the National Academic Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Alpha Alpha, the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Aaron demonstrates a multifaceted commitment to life-long learning and entrepreneurship. He actively leads and scales his family-owned small business, founded in 2015, which was preceded by a fourteen-year career as a professional drummer and percussionist. Most notably, Aaron finds humility, gratification, and self-realization as a husband, father, and stepfather, as his relentless pursuit of progression comes from his dedication to serving his family and community.