Emmanuel Ayim has had a keen interest in the governance of higher education since he was elected Arts and Sciences Senator in the Student Government Association at the University of Dayton, Ohio. He juggled his senatorial duties while representing the university as a NCAA Division 1 Regional All-American scholarship soccer player. After graduating with a degree in biology at the age of 20, he pursued one of his passions: being a professional soccer player. He then became a graduate assistant at Grambling State University where he earned a master’s degree in sports administration. He was involved in the leadership of the department as member of the Sport Leaders Association, and he was elected as president of the GSU Men’s Club Soccer Team.

Ayim enrolled at UNLV in fall 2006 as a doctoral graduate teaching assistant in the department of sports education leadership, successfully defended his dissertation in spring 2009, and published his dissertation in spring 2014. During his studies, he served UNLV through teaching and advising. He was a member of Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA), and represented graduate students during UNLV’s institutional planning meetings. Upon graduation, Ayim became an academic counselor in Center of Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO). He represents administrative faculty by serving as a Senator in the Faculty Senate, and was inducted into UNLV’s Sport Education Leadership Department Hall of Fame. During his eight years at UNLV as a doctoral student and administrative faculty member, his understanding and desire to promote the university’s mission has increased. He has cultivated a strong interest in student success at UNLV as a result of his day-to-day duties and his experience teaching first and second-year seminars ;through the College of Education.

He has been married to his wife, Tawnya Ayim, for six years. They met in a statistics class when they were both graduate students at UNLV. They have three kids, Emmanuel II, Gabrielle, and Nathaniel.