From Forklifts to the Dean's Office: ESU Transformed Sean Bird's Career
Sean Bird Named 2025 ESU Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Emporia, KS (10/13/2025) — Sean Bird's journey to leadership in higher education began with a single application to Emporia State's School of Library and Information Management.
"I'd been there 10 years and it just didn't resonate with me," he said, reflecting on his days delivering building materials and teaching English part-time as an adjunct instructor in Topeka.
That changed one Sunday in 2005 when he applied to SLIM. "It was the perfect program at the perfect time for me," Bird said. "It was transformative."
After earning his master's degree, Bird became director of the Rossville Community Library before joining Washburn University. There, he quickly advanced into leadership and now serves as senior associate dean. He's led major student-focused initiatives, including the Center for Student Success and Retention and the Ichabod Success Institute - a bridge program recognized for its impact on first-generation and low-income students.
In 2021, Bird received the American Library Association's I Love My Librarian Award for his pandemic leadership, including launching a tech lending program that provided laptops to every student in need and was praised for his lead-by-example management style.
His influence extends statewide. He has served on the boards of the Kansas Library Association, the Northeast Kansas Library System and the Rossville Community Library, and currently chairs the Kansas Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee.
Bird remains deeply connected to Emporia State, regularly speaking to SLIM students and serving on its advisory board.
"I feel very connected to the community," he said. "It is the centerpiece - the heartbeat - of the educational world I'm a part of."
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Media Attachments
Sean Bird is one of five Emporia State graduates named 2025 Distinguished Alumni.
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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