In a season centered on generosity, Aaron Fellhoelter (HCB, ’22) embodies what it means to give back, sharing his time, experience and global perspective with the next generation of students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business. His journey from an unsure first-year student to an accomplished researcher and global professional began because others invested in him. Now, he is paying that forward in every way he can.

Finding His Path

Fellhoelter arrived at UT unsure of his direction and not yet confident in himself as a student. He started his studies in journalism then shifted to supply chain management but he still struggled to find a clear fit. That changed when he met with Sara Easler, Haslam’s assistant dean for international programs and partnerships, whose encouragement and guidance helped him see new possibilities. She recognized his creativity and recommended he consider options more closely aligned to his interest. Fellhoelter decided to pursue marketing, a major where he quickly began to thrive.

Easler also sparked a desire to study abroad, which Fellhoelter was determined to do in Germany. Even when his grades were initially not high enough to qualify, with support from Easler and renewed focus, he worked hard, raised his GPA and secured a spot at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Mannheim. 

Global Experience and a Return Home 

Fellhoelter spent six transformative months studying at DHBW, followed by an internship with a company in Munich. When that organization later offered him a full-time position, he completed his UT degree and returned to Germany where he spent three years building a life there.

Living abroad gave him a new outlook on transportation, mobility and public infrastructure. Experiencing world-class transit, bike networks and pedestrian safety sparked an interest that would eventually guide him into research.

When his Munich company closed and he returned to Knoxville without a plan, Fellhoelter again found support in the Haslam community. Easler connected him to UT faculty in transportation and engineering, encouraging him to reach out to Chris Cherry, associate department head of undergraduate studies and professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UT’s Tickle College of Engineering. That conversation led Fellhoelter to sit in on Cherry’s classes, ask questions and eventually join his research group. He then enrolled in a civil engineering master’s program and transitioned into a Ph.D.

Entering engineering from a marketing background felt daunting, but Fellhoelter found surprising advantages. His communication training helps him translate technical findings, speak to policymakers and make complex ideas accessible. “You cannot just throw data at people and expect them to get it,” he says. “My marketing background really helps with that.”

Cherry quickly saw what several Haslam mentors had seen before: Fellhoelter’s passion, curiosity and drive.

“Aaron has exhibited a passion for cycling research that I have rarely seen,” says Cherry. “That passion propels him to pursue new topics but also lean heavily into learning new methods that can help him answer the questions he’s asking. This motivation is inspiring and will carry him far in this field.”

Research With Impact 

Fellhoelter’s academic research focuses on issues with far-reaching consequences: bike and pedestrian safety, e-bike incentive programs for low-income families and mobility access in growing cities. His ongoing study of incentives in California explores how giving residents an affordable transportation option can reduce emissions, ease congestion and expand opportunity for those who need it most.

He is also researching e-scooter safety in Nashville and the complex relationships between infrastructure, transportation and equity. His work is grounded in a belief that communities thrive when they are designed for everyone.

His research is already taking him around the world. Fellhoelter recently returned from Oslo, where he presented findings at an international cycling conference, and his program will host the International Cycling Safety Conference in Knoxville next year.

Returning the Favor

Even while balancing research, conferences and coursework, Fellhoelter remains committed to helping Haslam students navigate the same path he once walked. He regularly meets with students one-on-one to discuss studying abroad, finding international jobs and building confidence in new environments. He also shares his story in classes and answers questions about living and working in Europe.

Lauren Jacobs, Haslam’s director of international programs and study abroad, is impressed by how Fellhoelter is willing to go above and beyond to help.

“When we first approached Aaron about arranging a student visit to his company in Munich, he immediately embraced the opportunity,” says Jacobs. “He not only spent time with the students and shared his own career journey but also coordinated a networking lunch with company leadership. Both years, students left the visit energized and inspired to pursue international career opportunities.”

Easler emphasized the broader impact of his involvement.

“Aaron continues to give his time and share his international experiences with students in a way that is both motivational and supportive,” she explains. “In showing what he was able to accomplish through his study abroad, international internship and later foreign work, he helps students see that it is possible to leverage your experiences into something exciting and remarkable.”

Fellhoelter is grateful for his mentors guiding him toward opportunities he never imagined for himself. He speaks with gratitude of the faculty who helped him through career uncertainty, encouraged him academically and saw potential he had not yet recognized.

“I am where I am because of a ton of people at UT,” he says. “A lot of people helped lift me up.”

Author:

Parker Holt, student editor

Contact:

Leah McAmis, senior editor, leah@utk.edu