As Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster, Dr. Shean leads academic program leadership, curriculum and courseware, academic support, faculty, non-academic support, and academic operations in pursuit of improving student lives. Prior to joining Penn Foster, Dr. Shean was the Senior Vice President & Chief Academic Officer at National Education Partners. He has also served in roles such as the Chief Academic Learning Officer for Bridgepoint Education, Vice Provost for Arizona Global University, and Executive Dean for the College of Education at Arizona Global University. He previously served as a high school English teacher where he was named the 2009 District Teacher of the Year, was a faculty leader for the Institute of Engaged Leadership through a partnership with Penn State Global Campus and the Online Learning Consortium, was selected as a Chief Academic Officer Digital Fellow in 2017, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and recently was selected as Online Learning Consortium 2024 Leadership fellow.

Dr. Shean earned his Doctorate of Educational Leadership and Management from Alliant International University. He holds an MA in Special Education and a BA in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.