National Advisory Board

Dr. Sylvia Spears (She/Her/Hers) is currently serving as Provost & Vice President for Lifelong at College Unbound in Providence, Rhode Island.  She joined College Unbound in 2021 as Vice President for Administration & Innovation and Distinguished Professor of Educational Equity & Social Justice. Sylvia has been in higher education as both a faculty member and as a senior administrator for more than twenty-five years. Prior to her appointment at College Unbound, she served as Vice President for Equity & Social Justice at Emerson College for almost a decade,where she provided institutional leadership on issues of equity and social justice.

Prior to becoming a member of the Emerson community, Sylvia was Associate Professor of Education and the Inaugural Program Director of the New England College Doctoral Program in Education. She continues to teach in the doctoral program and serves on a number of dissertation committees. Earlier at Dartmouth College, Sylvia took on a variety of increasingly responsible roles, last serving as Interim Dean of the College.

Sylvia was also a member of the faculty in the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Department of Human Development & Family Studies for 10 years, teaching undergraduate and graduate students who were preparing for roles in education and other human service fields. In addition, she has held leadership positions at Bryant University in Multicultural Student Affairs and with the Narragansett Indian Tribe as Tribal Administrator. Sylvia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus in student affairs from the University of Rhode Island. She earned a Ph.D. in Education from the Rhode Island College/University of Rhode Island Joint Doctoral Program in Education. 

Sylvia has made a lifelong commitment to working for systemic change and educational transformation that leads to material change for the individuals and communities who are denied access, equitable conditions, and meaningful participation in higher education.