UC Irvine Anteater Aaron Fawcett arrived on campus with years of life experience shaping his perspective. The undergraduate, who is set to graduate in spring, has taken an unconventional route to higher education. From serving in the Marine Corps to raising his son as a single parent, and building a career in commercial insurance, Fawcett’s adaptability has guided him through life’s many twists and turns. Now, as a psychology major, he’s channeling that adaptability and drive into his passion for understanding the human mind.

A new course

As a high school student in Mission Viejo, Fawcett wasn’t sure if college was the right path for him. After graduating, he joined the Marine Corps. He enlisted with hopes of seeing the world and discovering a sense of purpose; his journey took him to combat as a Marine infantryman in Iraq. During this time, he also became a father and later took on the role of single parent to his son, Gavin.

After completing his military duty, Fawcett built a career in commercial insurance to support his family. He appreciated how his business provided a stable income, the flexibility to raise his son, and the opportunity to take occasional night classes. But despite his success, Fawcett couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more he could achieve.

“My work had become routine, and I couldn’t ignore the persistent sense of intellectual curiosity that kept nagging at me,” he says.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Fawcett took it as an opportunity to chart a new course. He exercised a buyout clause for his business, tapped into his veteran’s benefits, and enrolled at Orange Coast College to prepare for transferring to a university.

After his acceptance to UC Irvine, Fawcett toured the campus and was struck by its supportive atmosphere. He was confident UCI was the right place to continue his education.

An open-door education

Fawcett was right; he has thrived since arriving at UC Irvine as a transfer student. His intellectual curiosity and friendly persistence have literally opened doors.

“I’ve been able to work with professors who have been more than generous with their time. I’ve walked into offices with questions, and not once has someone told me they were too busy for me. This open-door policy has profoundly influenced my education. I'm not just taking classes, but having meaningful discourse,” he says.

Fawcett credits much of his academic growth to his work in cognitive sciences professor Jeffrey Rouder’s lab.

“Aaron is very good at learning and manipulating formal systems,” says Rouder, who is also the Jean-Claude Falmagne Chair of Mathematical Psychology. “It’s why he’s good at and enjoys math, statistics, programming, and the like. His skill at quickly learning formal systems will serve him well going forward.”

According to Rouder, Fawcett is also a “calming and stabilizing influence” in his lab.

“Aaron, because he is older and wiser and successful at school, helps provide the younger students much needed perspective. He gives them a gentle, ‘It will work out’ message that is far more credible than one coming from me,” Rouder says.  

Fawcett’s wisdom is also apparent in the lessons he’s drawn from his academic journey. Reflecting on his time as a student, he emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection in the pursuit of growth.

“Some of your best learning and salient memories will come from your mistakes. Once you let go of the need to appear competent all the time is when the real learning begins. Oh, and go to office hours,” he says.

A father first

While Fawcett has made the most of his time at UC Irvine, his most important role remains being a father to Gavin, now a student at California State University Long Beach. The two often talk about their college experiences, swapping advice and sharing academic tips.

“We’re having different experiences because we’re at different places in life, but the academic parallels are there,” he says.

Fawcett credits his son with giving his life purpose and motivating him to pursue higher education. Moreover, his thoughtful approach to parenting is reflected in his respect for everyone’s individual journey.

“The best thing I could give him as a father, aside from my time, is to get a good education. That’s something I want to model for him—that learning matters. I try not to pontificate or live vicariously through him though. When he asks for advice, I’m honest, but I also recognize that he’s on his own path,” he says.

What matters

With graduation on the horizon, Fawcett plans to continue his academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in cognitive sciences. He’s applied to multiple doctoral programs and is waiting to hear back in the spring. His goal is to become a professor at a research university who inspires others to embrace their own curiosity and education.

“I think it matters to try to answer questions about how people’s minds work and to impart this knowledge. I believe in the value of this,” he explains.

Fawcett’s journey to UC Irvine has been far from straightforward, but each detour and transition has highlighted his resilience and ability to adapt.

“I didn't think that I’d be able to come back to school and be as successful as I've been, given my life experience. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I was capable, but I wondered whether that ship had sailed,” he says. “But I was wrong, and I’m so glad I challenged that assumption.”

--Jill Kato for the UC Irvine School of Social Sciences