Douglas Sears

Dr. Douglas Sears, a professor of education and former SED Dean, currently serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff for the President of Boston University. He is also Director of the Division of Military Education, the unit which supports U.S. military officer education (ROTC) at Boston University.

From July 2006 to June 2011, Dr. Sears was Associate Provost and Assistant to the President for Special Initiatives and Outreach at Boston University, with responsibility for overseeing a variety of major University initiatives and projects. Beginning in 2006, he chaired the University’s first strategic planning initiative, which resulted in the University’s current ten-year strategic plan. In 2009 he chaired the University-wide re-accreditation steering committee and managed preparations for the accreditation site visit. In 2010 Dr. Sears managed the search for a new University Provost, working closely with the University President, and also supervised preparations for a review of Boston University by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.

Dr. Sears came to Boston University in 1988 and served as chair of the Management Team of the BU/Chelsea Public Schools Partnership, among other responsibilities. The Partnership was a 20-year collaboration in which Boston University accepted responsibility for the management of a nearby troubled urban public school system. Dr. Sears was appointed superintendent of the Chelsea Public Schools in 1995. During his tenure as superintendent, the district made substantial improvements in academic achievement and student attendance, and also reestablished art and music programs. Upon his return to the University in 2001, he served for five years as Dean of the School of Education and during this time resumed leadership of the BU/Chelsea Management Team through June 2008, when the Partnership concluded.

Before coming to Boston University, Dr. Sears served as an American diplomat in the U.S. embassies in Switzerland and the Philippines, earning tenure and the Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award. He is currently a vice president of the board of the American-Swiss Foundation. In May 2009 Dr. Sears was awarded the Stratton Prize for Intercultural Achievement, in recognition of his work in American-Swiss relations as well as his contributions to education reform.