Sean Flynn
When Sean Flynn first stepped through the doors of Olive-Harvey College, it wasn’t to earn a college degree—it was to take high school equivalency classes to prepare for the GED.
Joe Hinton’s first experience at Harold Washington College was when he was volunteering as a tax preparer for a low-income tax clinic that was hosted at the college. He met an associate dean in the elevator who was looking to hire a geography professor, and Joe, whose background is in geography, was a perfect fit for the position.
The serendipitous moment turned into a meaningful career at Harold Washington for Joe, who now serves as the associate dean of career programs. In his current role, he works to ensure that students feel welcome and supported as they learn about the different resources they can take advantage of to plan their next steps.
“We do want it to be an office where everyone knows the door is open,” Joe said. “Come in, ask questions, celebrate, mourn.”
Outside of his role as associate dean, Joe serves as an advisor to the Pride Alliance club at Harold Washington. His commitment to supporting students in and out of the classroom is widely recognized among students and his colleagues, and it earned him a Luminary Award in 2025.
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