Sean Bryant, an alum of UTCSW (MSSW ’98) and current staff member, is the definition of a Volunteer. Bryant works as a Field Education Specialist and supervises 25-30 students weekly across the country in their field placements within the College of Social Work.

“I bring the social work perspective to those organizations so that they can understand and better serve their clients with our students’ assistance,” Bryant explained. “It allows our students to make a difference in places outside of the normal work setting.” 

Bryant loves working at The University of Tennessee because he enjoys working with students from around the country to help them find their own place in the world. “I have the chance to use my own history and lessons-learned to guide, challenge, and support them in changing their little part in the world.” 

Bryant lived 53 years as Susan Bryant and is still known as that to many. “With the help of the pandemic, I have been able to uncover and live the most authentic version of me as Sean,” Bryant said. “I live openly with the support of my college in the workplace and hope to inspire others to do the same.” Bryant has three teenagers who he explains are the light of his life. “They dream of coming to UTK soon to find their paths in life because they have seen how this university has supported me.” 

Bryant continues to do good in the community outside of his job at UTK. A year ago, he opened a small non-profit organization in Knoxville called Bryant’s Bridge Inc. to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth transition successfully to adulthood by housing them in a safe place and attempting to link them with services to meet their complex needs. Bryant hopes to begin to stop youth homelessness and really help the local youth to grow and become who they are meant to be.

“I believe that as Vols, we are not here to isolate ourselves to our campus; rather, we are to do what we can to build the community into a stronger, more unified place where the voices of all can be heard, responded to, and included.”