Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Sean Harrison M.A. ’20 never imagined he would settle elsewhere. However, when his dream job of teaching high school social studies arose at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, he leaped at the opportunity.

Over the past seven years of teaching in Nairobi, Sean realized many of his students struggled to find a sense of belonging once they arrived at college, which negatively affected their academic performance. While searching for graduate programs that would enable him to explore solutions to this problem, Sean discovered the Higher Education/Student Development M.A. program at Wheaton College.

“My students were children of military parents, diplomats, and missionaries, and many moved every two years,” says Sean. “I want to provide additional support for international students to ensure they have proper ways to cope with issues once at university.”

Upon graduation in 2020, Sean intends to find a teaching position with an international high school to put his knowledge into practice.

“I’m unsure of where I’ll land next on the globe, but I know that God will lead me,” says Sean. “As long as I’m able to help international students, that’s where I’ll go.”

HOMETOWN: AUSTIN, TX

EDUCATION: M.A. IN HIGHER EDUCATION/STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, WHEATON COLLEGE (IL); B.A. IN GEOGRAPHY, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

FUN FACT: SEAN HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A TRADITIONALLY COLD WINTER UNTIL HIS MOVE TO WHEATON.