Carrie Vaia

Carrie Vaia is a dedicated faculty member at North Hennepin Community College (NHCC), where she has served since 2006 in the College of Business and Technology, specifically within the Paralegal and Business Department. As a licensed attorney in Minnesota and holder of a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, she brings real-world legal expertise to her teaching role.

Her educational background includes a B.S. from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN, and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law.

• B.S., University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN
• J.D., William Mitchell College of Law

Carrie specializes in legal and business education, with core teaching areas including Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies, Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration, Contracts, Business Organizations, and Construction Law. She is widely recognized as the 'gatekeeper' of the Paralegal Program, being the first instructor new students encounter. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes multiple pathways to success, allowing students to compensate for lower test scores through strong performance in assignments.

Though no recent publications are listed, her instructional focus reflects a deep engagement with practical legal training, particularly in paralegal education and business law applications.

Carrie is an active professional, maintaining membership in the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Minnesota Community College Faculty Association. She has contributed significantly to institutional service through roles on the Paralegal Advisory Board, Paralegal Student Association advising, ITAC Committee, LOA Team, and various search committees.

She currently teaches the following courses at NHCC:

• Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies
• Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration
• Property
• Contracts and Business Organizations
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Employment Search
• Legal Environment of Business
• Construction Law

Carrie conducts office hours via Zoom, scheduled according to semester course loads, and can be reached at carrie.vaia@nhcc.edu or by phone at 763-424-0841 in office CBT 153.