About Us
Our Community
Meet the School of Professional Studies team and hear directly from our Dean.
Mission & Vision
Mission
The mission of the School of Professional Studies is to draw on Brown University’s commitment to academic excellence, intellectual freedom, and diversity, equity and inclusion to create and deliver programs that empower learners at all career stages to transform themselves, their workplaces and the communities they serve.
Vision
Inspire and prepare graduate and professional learners to transform the way the world works for good.
History
The School of Professional Studies is one of Brown University’s four schools, in addition to the Graduate School and undergraduate College. With its origins dating back three decades to Brown’s summer and continuing studies program, SPS was established as a stand-alone school in 2014, under the leadership of Karen Sibley, Ed.D., with the purpose of enhancing the University’s reach and impact in the world by reaching new communities of learners across the career continuum through distinctive degree and non-degree programs aligned with Brown’s academic strengths.
Today, SPS offers a range of programs of varying lengths and modes of delivery, including professional degree programs in Healthcare Leadership, Technology Leadership, and the top ranked IE Brown Executive MBA; more than 30 early career master’s programs spanning all disciplines; and non-degree executive education and professional certificates.
Leadership
- 2014-2019: Karen Sibley, Ed.D., Emeritus Dean, School of Professional Studies
- 2019-2022: Leah VanWey, Dean of the Faculty, Brown University
- 2022-present: Shankar Prasad, Dean, School of Professional Studies, Vice President, Academic Innovation
Committee on Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs (CAPFA)
The Committee on Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs (CAPFA) consists of five tenured Brown faculty appointed by the Provost, in consultation with the Faculty Executive Committee. CAPFA reviews and approves faculty appointments in the School of Professional Studies, and provides advice and guidance on new and continuing SPS programs and academic initiatives.
For 2024-25, CAPFA members are: Ani Eloyan, David Lindstrom, Jason Protass, Dov Sax and David Skarbeck.
“ SPS students that face implicit bias during their studies, even if occasionally, can lead to feelings of uncomfortability and alienation within the cohort. Creating safe places for discussion on how implicit biases affect students is imperative for the growth and success of students and faculty. ”
The Brown Difference
Our commitment to educational innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and making an impact in the world is at the core of what we do.