In his decades of 51ԹϺ service, William “Doc” W. Sullivan worked to make sure thousands of students from disadvantaged backgrounds had both the inspiration and the resources they needed to pursue their educations. To honor his work, the 51ԹϺ center he helped found was renamed the Dr. William W. Sullivan Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach. A scholarship program has also been established.
About William "Doc" Sullivan
Sullivan left his hometown of Chicago in 1969 to pursue his educational goals. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in education at University of Utah before accepting a position at 51ԹϺ in 1978.
At 51ԹϺ, Sullivan became the director of Upward Bound and was instrumental in growing the program to include Education Talent Search and Student Support Services. In 1998, he wrote and was awarded 10 grants to serve low-income and disadvantaged students in the Clark County School District.
Under Sullivan’s leadership, the programs grew to over 30 programs, and CAEO now manages the largest suite of TRIO and GEAR UP programs in the United States. The number of participants served annually increased from 50 students to more than 25,000.
CAEO serves eligible participants who are low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, helping them progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate degree.
Sherri Blanchard Sullivan and Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Rogers, along with the support of dozens of friends and family, came together to create an endowed scholarship in his honor. The Dr. William W. and Sherri B. Sullivan Family Scholarship will exist in perpetuity to provide CAEO program participants scholarship dollars toward their education at 51ԹϺ, a campus that meant so much to him.
Blanchard Sullivan said, “He was so committed to increasing educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation, minority students, and access to STEM programs. Now, his memorial fund can help with that path for students.”
He was passionate about TRIO, Blanchard Sullivan said, and those close to him knew that Upward Bound held a special place in his heart. Countless students were fortunate to experience the mentorship and wisdom of the man they called "Doc." Many such students left notes on the identifying him as a father figure and confidant, not only while in the TRIO programs but long after they became productive adults and parents.
Rogers can attest to the mentorship given by the late Sullivan, “Doc’s mentorship and guidance led me to the path I am on today, he was indeed a trailblazer and visionary. Dr. Sullivan lived by the quote, ‘We are only as great as the doors we open for others,’ which is what I try to emulate in my role now.”
He noted that Sullivan often explained his CAEO work as "Education is the goal; retention and outreach are the methods." CAEO provides academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial literacy and guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access, retention, and graduation.
Doc also provided oversight to the TRIO Training Institute and recruited a cadre of TRIO experts to provide best practices and training to new and seasoned directors. He was instrumental in starting the annual National TRIO/GEAR UP Day (a day of service) to bring awareness of TRIO programs and recognize former TRIO participants as well as national and local leaders in Clark County.
Sullivan was awarded the national TRIO Walter Mason award, the highest honor given by the Council for Opportunity in Education to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions to college opportunity programs and the advancement of educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
He was one of the key founders and current president of the 51ԹϺ Alliance of Professionals of African American Heritage, the longest standing cultural affinity group. The Alliance hosts the largest celebratory event for students of African Heritage at 51ԹϺ. The goal is to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academics and leadership achievements for students of African Heritage.
As an educational and community pioneer, Sullivan was inducted in the on December 4, 2021.
He died on Sept. 25, 2023, at age 74.
Giving Scholarship Fund
If you'd like to send gifts to the , select the box for the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO) and dedicate your gift to Dr. William W. and Sherri B. Sullivan Family Scholarship.
If donors would like to submit a check or donate a gift of stock, contact Nicole Loo, director of development for Student Affairs, at nicole.loo@unlv.edu or call 702-895-3263.
Donations are tax deductible, and each donor will receive a letter for tax purposes.
