When asked about what his passion and expertise in education have become, Stephen O'Connor's answer is easy. He is focused on advancing and enhancing instruction and training so that all learners may have experiences that inspire and instill the knowledge, creativity, and confidence necessary to be successful in a changing world. He admits that this sounds like a vision statement - and it is. It is how he organizes and focuses his goals and works as a professional educator with numerous years of experience at the classroom, district-office, and university levels.

O'Connor began his career in education as a music teacher, having completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota. As his formal education and experiences grew, his path led him to the central office, where he served in district-level instructional services positions. His duties included not only curriculum and instruction, but also various human service functions.

O'Connor has been fortunate to teach and provide leadership expertise at the university level as an adjunct professor for Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, and is currently the Department Chair for the College of Education at Argosy University Twin Cities, where he leads and guides the development, implementation, and oversight of graduate programs.

He earned his specialist degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota, and Doctorate of Education Leadership from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

O'Connor has served as a Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award Board Examiner through the United States Department of Commerce, on the Microsoft Corporation National K-12 Education Advisory Council, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, including as co-chair of the group, and on the National Champion Advisory Team Infinite Campus Corporation, among others.