Sean Spinks serves as the director of the Danforth Scholars program. He is a St. Louis native and attended Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Sean majored in Sport Management and Business, receiving his Bachelors of Science in Health & Human Recreation. While interning at the St. Louis Sports Commission as an undergrad, he really enjoyed how the Sport Commission (a non-profit organization) represented the St. Louis area and sought to enrich the community through sport-related activities. That internship encouraged him to earn his Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management.
While pursuing his Master’s degree, he worked as a graduate assistant for Academic Support Centers on the SEMO campus. That opportunity allowed him to establish a network of higher education professionals and understand the importance of student retention, persistence, and degree completion. As a graduate assistant, he was responsible for coordinating the Financial Aid Warning Program, he Co-Founded BRAND Academy (a career prep and skills development program) and he became a Certified Personal Financial Manager (CPFM).
After receiving his MPA, he was hired as a retention coordinator at SEMO. He eventually received a promotion as the assistant director of Learning Assistance Programs, overseeing the Supplemental Instruction and assisting with Tutorial Services. A few years later, he transitioned back home to St. Louis and served as the director of Academic Success at Harris- Stowe State University.
Currently, he is in the process of completing of his Doctorate of Education degree through the University of Missouri-Columbia. His research topic consists of First-Generation Success and targeted support. He is excited to lead the Danforth Scholars Program and serve as a resource for all scholars in the Office of Scholar Programs and the WashU community.