John Sears
About John Sears
John Sears serves as the Assistant Director of the Office of Off-Campus Living at the University of Massachusetts Boston. With extensive experience in higher education administration, he has held various leadership roles and possesses a strong background in crisis response, compliance planning, and community building.
Current Role at UMass Boston
John Sears serves as the Assistant Director in the Office of Off-Campus Living at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He has held this position since 2018, contributing to the management and support of off-campus housing for students. His role involves developing strategies to enhance student living experiences outside the university campus.
Previous Experience in Higher Education
John Sears has extensive experience in higher education administration. He worked at the University of Rhode Island as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Housing and Residential Life from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he served as Associate Director and Co-Director of Residence Education at the University of Connecticut from 1999 to 2013. Additionally, he held the position of Director of Housing and Operations at Curry College from 1990 to 1993.
Educational Background and Qualifications
John Sears holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he studied from 1983 to 1987. He furthered his education with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Operations Management and Supervision at the same institution from 1987 to 1989. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher Education Administration from Georgia State University between 1995 and 1998.
Military Service and Leadership Experience
John Sears served in the US Army as a Chief Warrant Officer and Army Aviator from 1993 to 2004. His military experience provided him with leadership skills and crisis response capabilities, which he has applied throughout his career in higher education.
Expertise in Compliance and Facility Management
John Sears has significant expertise in compliance planning and oversight within higher education. He has been involved in facility design and construction, as well as capital and asset protection planning. His experience also includes crisis response and continuity-of-service planning, ensuring effective management of student housing and related services.