Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Sean Lancaster
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Sean Lancaster is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ferris State University in Michigan. Prior to his executive appointment at Ferris State, Dr. Lancaster dedicated 26 years to Grand Valley State University (GVSU). During his notable tenure at GVSU, he served as a Professor of Education, Department Chair, and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Beyond his work in the classroom, Dr. Lancaster has established a significant record of institutional leadership, specializing in academic quality, strategic planning, and university-wide accreditation. His commitment to systemic equity extended well past his home campus; he co-founded the Michigan Teacher Education Network, leading statewide, equity-centered professional learning and collaborating with teacher educators across Michigan to disrupt inequitable patterns in teacher preparation.

Dr. Lancaster began his journey as a professor teaching courses focused on technology in education and teacher education. His recent research explores how teaching pedagogies can best make learning equitable for students who have traditionally been marginalized.

An accomplished educator, Dr. Lancaster has won three university teaching awards, including being unanimously selected as Outstanding Teacher by the university's graduate students. He earned his Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Kansas, home to the world's top-ranked Special Education program.