David Shein

Educator & Consultant

Red Hook, New York

David Shein is an educator, academic leader, and independent educational consultant with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Based in Red Hook, New York, he is best known for his long tenure at Bard College, where he held senior leadership roles including Vice President for Student Success and Network Integration and William Lensing Senior Lecturer in the Humanities.

david shein

About David

A first-generation college student himself, Shein built his career around improving access to education and helping students fully engage with their academic and campus experiences. At Bard, he founded key student support initiatives such as the Learning Commons, Disability Support Services, and the Center for Student Life and Advising. He also played a central role in developing academic programs, supporting international partnerships, and launching innovative offerings like Bard’s online Global Degree.

Shein has advised hundreds of students and contributed to the success of many who have gone on to earn competitive postgraduate awards, including Fulbright scholarships. In recognition of his work in international education, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2019.

In 2026, he retired from Bard and launched an independent consulting practice focused on student success, advising systems, and inclusive program design.

Articles

Latest Reads

An Interview with David Shein

Idea Mensch

David Shein spent more than 25 years at Bard College, where he built programs that opened doors for students who might otherwise never walk through them. A first-generation college student himself, he knows what it feels like to navigate higher education without a map.

David Shein: Why Every College Student Needs a Roadmap Before They Arrive

Issue Wire

David Shein, an independent educational consultant in Red Hook, New York, has spent over 30 years helping first-generation students navigate college.

How Student Affairs Can Transform Retention for First-Generation and Underrepresented Students: Insights from David Shein

iN Education

David Shein brings a unique perspective to higher education administration. As a former Vice President for Student Success and Network Integration at Bard College who spent over 30 years in student affairs, he understands the challenges facing first-generation and underrepresented students because he lived them himself.

Why Every College Should Teach Students How to Navigate College

Industry Minds

David Shein has spent much of his career focused on this overlooked challenge. His work has consistently emphasized that helping students understand how college works is just as important as teaching the material found in textbooks.

What Great Colleges Get Right About Student Success: Lessons From Three Decades in Higher Education Leadership

Tech Disclosed

Throughout his career, David Shein has argued that colleges should think about student success as an ongoing process rather than a final outcome. That perspective has shaped decades of work in advising, student support, and higher education leadership.