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Aaron Kinzel
Prisoner to Professor and Executive Director
Aaron Kinzel is the Executive Director at the Youth Justice Fund (YJF).6 He is also a faculty member in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.2 Kinzel's LinkedIn username is atkinzel.5
Background::
- Kinzel's childhood was marked by poverty, crime, and family members' involvement in the justice system. He was incarcerated for nearly a decade as a teenager.2
- He has worked to improve public policy and mentor juvenile delinquents, prisoners, and parolees to create engaged citizens.4
- Kinzel discovered that incarceration had a recurring role in his family's history, going back more than a century.7
Education::
- Bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from Siena Heights University.1
- Master’s degree in public administration.1
- Currently working on his doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan in education.1
Career and Achievements::
- Director of Transition and Alumni Services for Ashland University’s (AU) prison program since the beginning of 2022.1
- Teaches criminology at the University of Michigan.1
- Conducted executive level training seminars for upper-level corrections and law enforcement personnel for the United States Department of Justice.4
- Awarded the King, Chavez, and Parks Future Faculty Fellowship.24
- Received a Teaching Excellence Award from Western Michigan University.2
- Awarded over $350,000 in grants for projects connected to criminal justice.2
Role at Youth Justice Fund::
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
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