April 7, 2026

Dr. Sean Lancaster, an experienced educator committed to student success, named Ferris State provost, vice president of Academic Affairs

Dr. Sean Lancaster, an experienced educator with a strong commitment to access and equity, has been selected as Ferris State University’s next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Lancaster has served at Grand Valley State University since 2000, most recently as associate vice president for Academic Affairs, where he oversaw accreditation, assessment and strategic planning initiatives.

Prior to that role, he spent six years as a department chair within the former College of Education, leading two departments: Special Education, Foundations, and Technology; and Literacy and Technology.

Throughout his career, Lancaster has advanced inclusive excellence by aligning continuous improvement, student success, and equity across programs, policies, and institutional systems.

“Dr. Lancaster is passionate about creating environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive, building an equitable academic community and preparing people for success,” Ferris State President Bill Pink said. “That fits perfectly with the vision of this university since its founding and where we are headed as an Opportunity University.”

Ferris State University was recently recognized by the Carnegie Classifications with the prestigious Opportunity University designation. This honor reflects the institution’s commitment to accessibility and highlights that its graduates are well-prepared and earn more than students from peer institutions upon entering the workforce.

The provost and vice president for Academic Affairs serves as the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for leading academic programs and faculty affairs. The role includes guiding curriculum development, overseeing strategic academic planning, and advancing innovative degree initiatives, while reporting directly to the president.

Lancaster said his visit to Ferris State’s campus made a lasting impression.

“I saw a community deeply committed to students and to one another, with strong programs and a clear sense of purpose,” he said. “I am excited to join Ferris State and to work alongside faculty and staff to align our strengths, support student success, and build on that momentum.”

Lancaster, a Kansas native, earned his doctorate in Special Education from the University of Kansas, where he also completed his earlier degrees.

He is the recipient of Grand Valley State University’s Pew Teaching with Technology Award, the Graduate Outstanding Teaching Award, and the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.

He is also a founding member of the Michigan Teacher Education Network, a collaborative community dedicated to creating a more just educational experience by supporting teachers, educators, and partners, with a focus on ending educational inequity.

Lancaster’s scholarship centers on disrupting patterns of inequity in K–16 classrooms and society. His most recent publications focus on developing teachers’ capacity for equity practices.

Lancaster succeeds Dr. Bobby Fleischman, who has served in the role since 2020. Fleischman previously held positions as vice president for Strategic Partnerships and associate provost for Academic Affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and will transition to the faculty at the end of the academic year. Prior to his service at MSU Mankato, Dr. Fleischman served as dean for the College of Business and Management at East Stroudsburg University, where he also taught law and marketing for 21 years.