15th President of Paine College
Samuel Sullivan served as president of Paine College from 2014 to 2017 during a particularly challenging period in the institution’s history. Prior to his appointment, he held various administrative roles in higher education, with experience in student services, enrollment management, and academic administration—preparing him to lead during a time of financial strain and accreditation concerns.
During his tenure, Sullivan worked to stabilize the college and address compliance issues. His administration focused on strengthening financial oversight, improving operational efficiency, and sustaining academic programs as the institution responded to accreditation warnings. Despite these efforts, Paine College continued to face significant financial and accreditation challenges.
In 2017, Sullivan stepped down from the presidency, and the Board of Trustees sought new leadership to guide the institution through the next phase of recovery and restructuring.