Sean Gallagher

Executive Director, Center for the Future of Higher Education & Talent Strategy Northeastern University

Executive Director, Center for the Future of Higher Education & Talent Strategy Northeastern University

Dr. Sean Gallagher is founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive Professor of Educational Policy.

Sean joined Northeastern in 2009 and is a nationally recognized expert with nearly 20 years of experience in higher education. As Chief Strategy Officer for Northeastern’s Professional Advancement Network, Sean built a central strategy function unique among universities – working across colleges and academic domains to launch growth initiatives including the development of new campuses and degree programs. Prior to Northeastern, Sean worked for a decade at Eduventures, advising executives at hundreds of universities, education companies, and investors. Sean directed the firm’s largest and most profitable business unit, and played an instrumental role in the company’s growth by developing and leading many of its research practices.

Sean is a frequent invited speaker at conferences and events, and his writing and commentary have been featured in leading media outlets such as The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CBS Television. Sean’s research has been cited in numerous academic papers and books. His book, “The Future of University Credentials: New Developments at the Intersection of Higher Education and Hiring,” was published in 2016 by Harvard Education Press.

Sean holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from Northeastern University; an M.B.A. from the New York Institute of Technology; and a B.S. in Marketing from Northeastern.