Faculty

Professor Aronson’s publications examine how social structures (such as collapsing economic institutions during the Great Recession, and gender, race and class inequalities) impact identities and the life course. Dr. Aronson conducted in-depth interviews with nontraditional and first generation college students, who she has also been following through graduation, transfer or drop out.  In a study of the factors that best predict resilience and success in college, she is examining the conditions under which disadvantaged students are able to complete their degrees. Professor Aronson has also been studying the experiences of displaced workers who return to college.  In research focused on graduating during the Great Recession, Dr. Aronson documented inequalities in both perceptions and outcomes, as women and first generation college graduates fared the worst in terms of their employment status, debt and income levels, and subjective assessments of job opportunities and financial stress.  Her work has also found that, in the context of the Great Recession, although young adults have high aspirations and achievements, they have lost confidence in the educational and work institutions upon which they must depend.

Ph.D. and M.A. University of Minnesota; B.A. Michigan State University