Aiden Dougan, a rising junior at PennWest Edinboro, has been appointed to the university’s Council of Trustees — a role that aligns with his commitment to service, student engagement and leadership. 

 A secondary education major with a concentration in social studies, Dougan plans to bring a unique blend of campus involvement, community service and empathy to the position. 

“I want to be the person who sits down with students and asks, ‘What’s going great? What would you like to see change?’” he said. “With everything I’m involved in, I feel like I can bring those insights back to help improve campus life.” 

His list of activities is extensive. 

On campus, Dougan serves as a Highland Ambassador. He is a member of Admissions, the University Programming Board and the University Singers, where he is the Bass section leader, and is active in Chi Alpha, a campus Christian fellowship group.  

Off campus, Dougan contributes as an assistant football coach and statistician at General McLane High School — despite never having played the sport himself. A self-described “theater kid,” he was drawn into the role by a head football coach Marshall McCormick who recognized his talent for numbers.  

He also contributes to local theater productions and serves as a counselor for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. His continued connection to his alma mater stems from a love of the arts and a deep desire to give back to the people and programs that shaped him. 

Dougan’s passion for education is personal. Inspired by Edinboro professors like Umeme Sababu and Jennifer Dempsey, and previous General McLane teachers Carol Blount and Max Knight, he envisions a future classroom that prioritizes respect, mental health, and collaboration. “I want my students to feel heard, understood and accepted for who they are,” he says. 

His commitment to caring for others is rooted in his own life experience as a primary caregiver for his father, who lives with FSH muscular dystrophy. That responsibility shaped his decision to stay close to home for college and continues to influence his perspective.  

“It’s made me who I am — always thinking of others first, never judging a book by its cover,” he said. 

Now, as he prepares to represent the student body as a trustee, Dougan sees both opportunity and responsibility. “This is a chance for me to grow — to be a better listener, to hear different perspectives and to help create a more inclusive and connected community,” he said.