Academic Affairs Office of the Provost
1201 S. State Street
Timme Center, CSS 310
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 591-2300
[email protected]
It's an honor to join the Bulldog Nation as your Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs. I arrive with deep respect for what this institution has built, and a clear
sense of purpose about where we can go together.
Woodbridge and Helen Ferris founded this university in 1884 on a simple premise: give
students marketable skills and a real shot at using them, regardless of race, age,
or status. That founding vision is a living obligation and the lens through which
I will approach decisions in Academic Affairs.
True practical capability requires intellectual depth. I want to ensure we are deeply
committed to the idea that a career-focused education does not mean a compromised
one. Every Ferris student deserves the same rich intellectual life, depth of inquiry,
and critical engagement as a student at an elite liberal arts college.
To achieve this, our focus must always return to student success and equity, anchored
in real, trackable progress. Every student who enrolls here deserves the support and
academic experiences that give them a genuine opportunity to thrive, whatever their
background or preparation. This requires us to be transparent about where gaps exist
and systematic in our collective work to eliminate the barriers that create them.
Strategic planning matters just as much. Academic Affairs cannot afford to be reactive.
We need priorities that align our programs, our resources, and our ambitions with
the realities of Michigan's workforce and the communities we serve. This effort is
built with real input from the faculty and staff who will carry them out.
I am committed to shared governance and investing in professional growth to ensure
a culture where people can do their best work.
This work happens in partnership across colleges, across divisions, and with the employers
and communities we serve. I'm eager to listen and learn from the people who know this
institution best.
I look forward to working alongside you.
Sincerely,
-Sean
Sean Lancaster, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ferris State University