One of the core beliefs at the foundation of Boundless Possibility is that the University’s future is inextricably linked to the city of Rochester, which is why the University is set on developing economic, educational, social, and cultural partnerships. In 2023, that commitment became Shaun’s role as vice president for community partnerships.

Shaun is primarily responsible for developing actionable plans that cultivate and steward productive community relationships that support the strategic plan. But it’s just one of many hats he dons for the University. He wears one to lead the support of K–12 urban schools in Rochester through the Warner School’s educational and community outreach programs. With another he helps provide accessible health information to the public by facilitating interviews with medical experts from the University on the podcast and radio show, Check Your Health. And there’s one for leading key initiatives, such as the process to get the University the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement, which is not an award but evidenced-based documentation recognizing an institute policies and practices in a specific area.

“In my various roles, I push and challenge the system to prevent complacency,” Shaun says, “even if it means creating moments of discomfort within the organization.”

Creating that discomfort is one of the ways Shaun is helping the University remain committed to continuously improving its structures, systems, and actions to maximize its potential for meaningful change and impact on a global scale. Or, to say it another way, “be boundless.”