Ricky Austin

Ricky Austin was elected President of the Aim Higher Foundation in 2022 after having served the organization since 2017 as Vice President and Director of Scholarships and Communications. During his tenure, the foundation has more than quadrupled in size, today providing scholarships to 2,900 children to access the proven benefits of values-based education across the greater Twin Cities metro area. A native of Southern California, Austin began his career as a Catholic school teacher and administrator in Oklahoma City and Chicago. He later led the marketing and communications department at the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education and its Institute for Educational Initiatives, and later at the Partnership Schools in New York. 

Austin has been recognized for his service with an award from Saint Mary’s University in Winona and with a Fellowship from the Reform Leader Summit at the University of Notre Dame. His volunteer roles include the board of the National Catholic Education Association and the advisory committees of the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative, St. Odilia Catholic School, and Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School. He lives in Saint Paul, MN, with his wife and two children, and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in great books and computer applications and a master’s degree in education.

Read Ricky’s monthly Letter from the President newsletter column.