Current Position and Past Experience
Seth Sykes is the Associate Vice Provost of Strategic Enrollment Management at Virginia Commonwealth University. Previously, Sykes served as Associate Dean of Academic Services at VCU. This followed appointments as VCU’s Assistant Dean for University College and Director of Academic Advising. After teaching religious studies classes at VCU, Sykes became an academic advisor at VCU in 2000. Over the next decade, Sykes developed, and subsequently led, award-winning advising initiatives designed to improve first year retention rates. In 2010, Sykes turned his attention to transfer students. He currently oversees the development of transfer policies and articulation agreements with Virginia community colleges. Working closely with regional community college partners, Sykes analyzes data and researches best practices to develop innovative transfer programs to improve outcomes for transfer students.

Education, Honors and Achievements
Born and raised in Scotland, Sykes earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of St. Andrews in 1988. He received a fellowship to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, where he earned a master’s degree. He subsequently earned a PhD in Biblical Studies from Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, in 1997.

Personal Details and Community Involvement
Sykes is married. He and his wife are the proud parents of three sons. In addition to juggling parenting responsibilities with two full-time jobs, Sykes and his wife advocate for biomedical and educational support for their middle son who was diagnosed with autism in 1999. Sykes is an avid reader and enjoys travelling, especially visiting his family in the United Kingdom.