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New leadership for BC M.S.L.
The Master of Science in Leadership (M.S.L.) program at the Woods College of Advancing Studies welcomed a new director this fall: Boston College alumnus Robert F. Sullivan, who brings to the position more than two decades of experience in government, public service, and business, most recently as a three-term mayor of the City of Brockton, Massachusetts.
In his new role, Sullivan, who holds both B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Boston College as well as a J.D. from New England Law, leads a comprehensive graduate degree program that prepares professionals to become adaptable leaders skilled in strategic thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and the guiding of organizational change. The BC M.S.L. is also grounded in Ignatian principles, designed to educate leaders who are committed to creating just and purposeful organizations.
"Bob Sullivan brings to this position a powerful combination of real-world experience and a deep commitment to serving others," said Tristen Amador, senior associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at the Woods College. "He has already begun shaping our programs with insights gained from his years in leadership roles. We’re excited to have him at Woods College and as part of the broader Boston College community."
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back on campus working with such a tremendous team of dedicated professionals, who possess a shared vision of educational excellence," said Sullivan. "My father taught at the Woods College for 19 years after he retired from teaching at Brockton High School, so I developed a strong admiration for the school's mission and educational offerings. I am very excited about the future of the M.S.L. and look forward to collaborating on how best to reimagine, reshape, and repurpose the program to enhance the learning experience for our students."
In today's world, Sullivan said, effective leaders must be able to think outside the box and handle situations in a timely and productive manner. "A real benefit to our M.S.L. students is that their faculty members are experts in various professional roles of leadership, so our students can learn how leaders from different sectors react to and address current real-life situations and scenarios."
“ The M.S.L. stresses the values of 'cura personalis' and 'men and women for and with others.' To me, this means that leaders at any level must work to best serve society, while also continuing to grow personally on a daily basis. ”
Sullivan also singled out the program's focus on Ignatian principles as a key distinction, noting how much he valued his own experience with Jesuit education as an undergraduate and graduate student at BC.
"The M.S.L. stresses the values of 'cura personalis' and 'men and women for and with others,'" he said. "To me, this means that leaders at any level must work to best serve society, while also continuing to grow personally on a daily basis."
He credits his experience as an elected official and working in both the legal and business sectors with showing him that an effective leader "must be a good listener, and understand that the essence of leadership is based upon the proposition of helping people and collaborating with others to achieve the best results for the situation at hand."
Born and raised in Brockton, Sullivan served his home city for more than 20 years in various roles, including 14 years on the Brockton City Council as a councilor-at-large, during which time he was elected by his colleagues to serve as council president five times.
In 2019, he was elected Brockton's 50th mayor, and, just six weeks after being sworn into office in January 2020, faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was reelected in 2021, and again, overwhelmingly, in 2023, before announcing in 2025 that he would not seek a fourth term.
During his tenure, Brockton underwent a reimagining and revitalization of its downtown area, focused on long-term sustainability investment and economic growth, including the creation of a new, unified public safety building, new housing, and other advancements.
In 2024, he was honored by the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance for his advocacy on behalf of the homeless; the following year, he was recognized as "Visionary Leader of the Year" by the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition for his efforts toward energy efficiency.
Prior to his tenure as mayor, Sullivan held positions as legal counsel to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and a government affairs specialist at Comcast.
He currently serves as a volunteer board member for the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, Scouting America-Old Colony Council, and the Lou Montgomery Foundation. He also has served on the boards of the Good Samaritan Medical Center, the St. Joseph Manor Nursing Home, and the Brockton Historical Society, and has been a volunteer youth soccer, baseball, and basketball coach in Brockton.
Sullivan hails from a "BC family": His siblings Kara '88, Suzanne '89, and Ryan '97 are alumni, while his father, Robert Sullivan M.A. '95, was an adjunct faculty member at the Woods College from 2001-2020.
He and his wife, Maria (Luizzi) Sullivan, also from Brockton, have three children—Tommy, Grace, and Will. They often support BC as a family, including attending the annual Pops on the Heights scholarship gala, sporting events, and theater performances.
On a personal level, Sullivan has relished settling into his new role. "The staff, faculty, and students at the Woods College are amazing, and others at BC have been so kind to me. In my professional career, I have never experienced such a sense of teamwork and such an atmosphere of care and collaboration."
For more information, visit the M.S. in Leadership website.