Charting a New Course: A Graduate Student Discovers His Niche in Higher Ed

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — May 27, 2025) When Aaron Pieri completed his M.S. in childhood education five years ago, teaching was his primary career goal. But after spending time in the classroom, the Buffalo-area native began to have second thoughts.  

“I taught for a few years and realized that as much as I love kids, it wasn’t the right field for me,” he says. 

Not ready to give up on education completely, Pieri began looking into other outlets for his interest in the field. That research ultimately led him to Empire State University, where—after two years of full-time study—he has just completed the institution’s recently introduced master’s in higher education program, developed by associate professor emerita Tai Arnold. He’ll receive his degree at the university’s Rochester commencement ceremony on May 29.   

“It was just a matter of finding my niche,” says Pieri, who is one of three students graduating from the program this spring. “I think I found it more now in higher education.” 

Pieri’s internship with the university’s Opportunity Programs office has gone a long way in convincing him he’s chosen the right path. He began his tenure by meeting with various staff to learn more about their roles and interactions with other members of the university community. Later, Pieri had the opportunity to speak with 10 students enrolled in opportunity programs to better understand their experiences.  

“It opened my eyes and really made me realize that this is the area that I want to focus on when I graduate. And then I was invited to attend the Opportunity Programs office retreat,” he says, adding that he also attended the university’s Annual Meeting. “It was such a great opportunity for me to actually experience what it’s like to be in higher education.” 

Still, that’s not to say that Pieri—who hopes to work in academic advising and student success post-graduation—hasn’t faced challenges during his time at the university. Although the flexibility of virtual learning appealed to him, he admits that he was anxious about tackling an online degree program for the first time. But after figuring out how to stay organized and motivated, he says, he discovered some surprising “positives” to studying online. 

“I was really able to do what I needed to do to understand and relate to the material. When you’re in [an in-person] class, you kind of talk off the cuff. But when I was doing my posts for class, I could actually sit and think and let things marinate a little bit before I gave my responses,” Pieri says. “I realized, ‘Oh, you know what? This does work for me a little better than the in-person, traditional kind of learning.’” 

The online format offered other unexpected benefits, too: “Weirdly enough, I probably felt more connected to my professors here than I did than [while attending school] in person,” he says, noting that his interactions with members of the Opportunity Programs team were especially rewarding. “Being able to talk to advisors and professionals in higher education without feeling like the student definitely gave me more insight and perspective.” 

“I will miss the people that I’ve had the pleasure to work with and learn under,” Pieri continues. “I am very grateful for everything that has been offered to me and everything that I’ve been able to experience.”