Business Administration Alumnus Named York County Elections Director

Bryan Sheaffer, a 2012 York College of Pennsylvania graduate, brings private-sector experience in continuous process improvement to county elections office.

With a highly scrutinized presidential election on the horizon, York County appointed a new director of its elections office in June. Bryan Sheaffer, who earned a Business Administration degree from York College of Pennsylvania in 2012, aims to restore trust in voting through his dedication to transparency and extensive experience in process improvement.

Setting the stage for success

When Sheaffer transferred to York College, he was astonished by the level of experience his professors brought to the classroom. Many were C-suite-level leaders or owned companies and readily shared their knowledge and experiences with students. He saw how his textbook learning played out in real life every day. 

One of those professors inspired him to take on a minor in Marketing, which he paired with a second minor in Human Resource Management. At the same time, Sheaffer was active outside the classroom, serving as the senior class secretary, and secretary for the Commuter Club and interning with Alumni Relations. He always looked for volunteer opportunities and ways to give back. His involvement in various activities deepened his connection to the College and the York community.

“I was a commuter but practically living on campus,” he says. “York College is not a huge university in the middle of New York City or D.C., but the quality of education you’re going to get beats a lot of larger ones."

After graduation, Sheaffer spent several years in the private sector, focused on process improvement in the field of transportation. The COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent layoff led him to seek new opportunities. At 30 years old, Sheaffer started looking at government positions. 

Improving processes, building trust

An open position at the York County Office of Elections and Voter Registration caught his eye. The county needed a process implementation coordinator, and his private-sector process-improvement experience proved to be a perfect fit for the job. 

He joined the Office of Elections in April 2021 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming acting deputy director, then deputy assistant director, then acting director, and then in June, director, all in the span of three years. He credits his experiences at York College with helping him prepare for the rapid ascent.

“Coming from a school like York College, they really expect a lot out of you,” he says. “They want you to succeed, but they want you to work for it.”

“We want to be as transparent as possible where we can,” he says. “We can’t show you someone’s registration, but we can show you processes.”

Sheaffer encourages voters to get involved in watchable activities that occur as part of the elections process, such as the hand counting of ballots that are cast. His team regularly communicates with the public and works closely with other county departments to ensure smooth operations and quick resolutions of any issues that arise. 

While this might be the first presidential election in which many college students can vote, Sheaffer encourages them and the public at large to cast ballots not only in national elections but in local races as well. Those votes are extremely important to citizens’ day-to-day life. He also notes that York College students who aren’t York County residents can sign up to receive an absentee mail-in ballot and thereby participate in their local elections.  

“You have to let your voice be heard. Everybody should vote,” he says.

Preparing for future elections

With the presidential election being of such great interest, Sheaffer and his team are preparing diligently. He and his staff are recruiting and training poll workers throughout the county. Sheaffer’s commitment to creating a positive voter experience is evident in his efforts to make sure that polling places are well-staffed and processes are meticulously followed.

“The ever-changing environment of elections has kept us all on our toes,” he says.

His time at York College, in and out of the classroom, prepared Sheaffer to juggle the many responsibilities of his current position. In his clubs, classes, and volunteer commitments, he was preparing to take on bigger roles in life. 

York College provided Sheaffer with a solid foundation, blending academic rigor with real-world applications and fostering a love of community involvement. He advises those exploring their future options to remain adaptable. 

“Be open-minded about what’s next,” he says. “I never imagined I’d end up working in government, ever. You never quite know how your path is going to go.”