Sean Vereen

About Sean Vereen

Sean is the President & CEO of Heights Philadelphia. He co-lead the merger of Steppingstone Scholars (where he was President) and Philadelphia Futures that formed Heights Philadelphia in 2022. He became the sole CEO in 2024. Heights is dedicated to creating a future where all Philadelphia students achieve economic mobility through educational and workforce success. Heights now serves more than 3,600 students from middle school through career entry. Heights has a staff of 70 with many based in 25 schools within the School District of Philadelphia, has official partnerships with 13 colleges and universities, and a number of employers and institutions throughout the region. It has a $12 million dollar annual budget and a $25 million dollar endowment. 86% of students graduate college within 6 years and 83% are employed or in graduate school 6 months after graduation. Sean is a noted thought leader in educational pedagogy and racial, social, and economic inequities within the educational system, and building pathways to economic mobility. Sean is a member of the School District of Philadelphia’s Facilities Advisory Group. Sean is also an advisor for the Nonprofit Leaders\' Circle, a community of practice sponsored by the Barra Foundation and the Patricia Kind Family Foundation. Sean previously served as vice chair of the mayor’s Education Nominating Board for the School District of Philadelphia’s Board of Education. He also served on the Education Subcommittee of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Transition. He was a board member of Elevate 215 and The Philadelphia School, and lecturers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Sean spent ten years at the University of Pennsylvania in a variety of roles, including the Associate Dean for Opportunity and Access and Office of Undergraduate Admissions Office. Sean has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and a Masters and Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Experience

1. President and CEO

   Heights Philadelphia

   Sep 2024 — Present · Philadelphia, PA, US

Education

• University of Rochester

  Bachelor's degree, History

  1995 — 1999

• University of Pennsylvania

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

  1999 — 2005

Skills

• Higher Education
• Student Affairs
• Curriculum Design
• Community Outreach
• Grant Writing
• Fundraising
• Public Speaking
• Program Development
• Strategic Planning
• Editing
• Event Planning