November 20, 2020
Dr. Steven A. Sears named vice president for student affairs and dean of students
Taking note of his “unwavering commitment to our students and their well-being” over the course of 22 years serving in the Providence College Division of Student Affairs, PC’s president and executive vice president today announced the appointment of Dr. Steven A. Sears as vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78 & ’82G, PC’s president, and Ann Manchester-Molak ’75, the College’s executive vice president, announced the appointment in an email message to students, parents, faculty, and staff.
This position is redefined, including responsibilities as both vice president and dean of students. Sears, affectionately known to students for many years as “Dean Sears,” has been dean of students since 2010, also twice serving as interim vice president, including the period beginning last summer. He began his PC tenure in 1998 as associate director for housing and discipline.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Sears worked at Roger Williams University, his alma mater, before joining the PC staff. He earned a doctorate in education from NOVA Southeastern University and an MBA from Salve Regina University.
As vice president, Sears will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the College’s senior decision-making body.
“I am grateful to Father Sicard and Executive Vice President Molak for this opportunity to continue serving the students I care about so deeply,” Sears said. “Those students fill me with enthusiasm and inspiration, and it is a privilege to stand beside them during their college years — a time of remarkable learning and growth that truly shapes the rest of their lives.”
The text of the email message announcing Sears’ appointment:
Dear Members of the Providence College Community,
As we approach the end of the semester, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Steven A. Sears to the position of Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. We have made the decision to redefine the position to include responsibilities as both Vice President for the division, as well as Dean of Students. Dr. Sears’ appointment to this newly defined position was endorsed unanimously by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and the College’s vice presidents and was overwhelmingly supported by Student Congress.
Since joining the PC staff in 1998, Dr. Sears has served the College in a number of key administrative positions, including as Dean of Residence Life (2005-2010); Dean of Students (2010-2011); Interim Vice President for Student Affairs (2011-2012); and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students (2012 – June 2020). He has served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs for the past six months. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Sears has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to our students and their well-being. He has been invaluable in his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion and was instrumental in the creation of the Balfour Office of Multicultural Student Activities, which engaged students and student leaders in diversity awareness and cultural immersion through innovative training and program offerings.
Dr. Sears serves as a co-chair of the Continuity Task Force (CTF) which has been responsible for the development of an overarching plan and accompanying recommendations for the College’s response to the pandemic. During this unprecedented time, Dr. Sears’ leadership skills, compassionate care for students, and collaborative approach to problem-solving have been demonstrated on a 24/7 basis.
He holds a doctorate in higher education from NOVA Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FLA; a Master of Business Administration degree from Salve Regina University, Newport, RI; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Roger Williams University.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sears on this well-deserved promotion.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kenneth Sicard, O.P.
President
Ann Manchester-Molak
Executive Vice President
