Aaron Banks

Aaron Banks is a Professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He has been a dedicated faculty member since 2002 and currently serves as Department Co-Chair, overseeing one of the larger departments on campus. His academic leadership extends to roles on the Faculty Development Committee and the International and Domestic Programs Committee.

His educational background includes an Ed.D. in Physical Education Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado (2001), an M.S. in Health Appraisal & Enhancement from Miami University (1998), and a B.A. in Biology from Concordia College (1992).

Banks identifies as a generalist in Kinesiology-related fields, with a strong focus on applied research and service. His primary research interests include best practices in instructional strategies, curriculum development, and quality assessment design within physical activity settings. He has contributed to the field through book chapters, journal manuscripts, and co-authoring the web-based textbook FitQuest: A Personal Journey, designed for personalized learning in fitness and sport. His scholarly work is complemented by active participation in state, regional, national, and international conferences, where he regularly presents 3–5 papers annually.

Banks has made significant contributions to physical education standards, having been appointed by the Minnesota Department of Education to serve on the Minnesota Physical Education Standards Writing Committee (2013–2014). This work involved revising K–12 physical education standards for the state.

• Lou Keller Award, Minnesota Society of Health & Physical Educators (2012)
• Ruth Mason Award for Excellence in January Off-Campus Teaching (2015)

Banks is deeply committed to student mentoring and advising. He challenges students to engage in faculty-student research projects and has successfully led over 250 students on eight international January-term courses, most notably Olympic Quest, which explores the history and cultural impact of the Olympic Games across numerous countries. He also teaches the First Term Seminar Leisure Quest, where students have built over 100 Adirondack chairs for campus use, combining service, craftsmanship, and personal development.

His leadership and service to the institution are evident through his committee work and administrative role as Department Co-Chair. He emphasizes service, community, and the integration of the college's core values into his teaching and mentorship.