Sharon Franks

Sharon Franks serves as the Program Manager for the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence at Purdue University, where she supports leadership development initiatives and educational programs that empower faculty and staff to achieve their full potential. Prior to joining the Butler Center, Sharon built a strong foundation in higher education administration through a variety of roles at Purdue University. A member of Purdue's 41st ACE Class and a two-time recipient of the Department of Psychological Sciences Mickey Gilbert Award for exceptional service, Sharon is passionate about leadership development, education, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. She holds a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University, where she played on the Women's Basketball Team.

Before beginning her career at Purdue, Sharon worked as a Reading Interventionist for the Tippecanoe County School Corporation and coached girls' basketball at both the middle and high school levels. Her dedication to education, mentorship, and student development has remained a consistent theme throughout her professional journey. In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, supporting women's sports and spending time with family.