The search for a director of fraternity and sorority life has ended, as Kathleen Prout will take lead of Bradley’s greek community starting Oct. 3.
Prout, a member of Delta Delta Delta, earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Millikin University, a master’s in college student affairs from Eastern Illinois University and has since worked with greek life at both Knox College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“Kathleen brings a diverse professional background in greek life to Bradley University,” Kim Dunn, a fraternity advisor who served on the search committee, said. “She has an energetic personality that I feel students will respond well to.”
Upon arriving on campus, Prout said one of her main goals is to determine how to strategically plan the next several years of Bradley’s greek life.
“When you think about change on campus, especially within fraternities and sororities, it can seem very overwhelming because you may see large aspects that could use some improvement,” Prout said. “So, how do we kind of take that bite by bite? How do you eat an elephant one bite at a time? And so really sitting down and creating a strategic plan that really outlines what the students want and what the university wants.”
Prout was included in a panel where she was able to interact with students, where she said another one of her goals was formed.
“Some of the feedback I got back from the students was that they wanted to know me in that position regardless of if they are in a leadership position … or if they are just a general member,” Prout said.
Prout also said she plans to focus on educating campus about greek life procedures.
“It kind of stuck out that somewhere I can be of assistance is really utilizing the resources and tools that I have in my professional experience and the professional network to really kind of hone in on the ‘why’ and the reasoning behind doing certain programming or emphasizing certain educational moments,” Prout said. “There is always a reason why. It either goes back to the purpose of their organization or it goes back to how they are interacting and being productive citizens on campus.”
Shelby Spring, a student member of the search committee, said she was looking for someone who would respect the cultures and traditions of Bradley’s greek life, as well as someone who is ready to build relationships within the greek community.
“I consistently enjoyed Kathleen from the beginning [of the search],” Spring, a senior learning behavior specialist major, said. “She has a very upbeat attitude and is ready to form positive relationships with students. I feel that she has plenty of experience in greek life and will bring a fresh perspective on a variety of issues.”
Prout said she is excited to become a part of the Bradley family.
“I told the students I actually applied to go to Bradley as an undergrad,” Prout said. “It’s been a part of a plan of mine that I didn’t know exactly how it was going to fit in until this moment.”
