Over the past year, President James Shadid has shown his dedication to Bradley, consistently working to improve the overall quality of life on campus.
He’s made headway by listening to feedback across campus and responding quickly.
He’s satisfied with his progress so far, but not yet satiated.
“We have a long way to go,” Shadid said. “But I think we’ve turned the tide here in terms of culture, enrollment, attracting students and giving the students an experience that we want for them.”
As he enters his second full year as president, Shadid remains committed to his vision for Bradley.
One of Shadid’s goals last year was to increase enrollment. According to Bradley’s annual fall student census, 1,160 new students were welcomed for the fall semester, including 876 first-year students. That’s a 36% increase from last year’s number of first-year students.
Shadid believes the enrollment increase is likely due to the expansion and renovation of facilities, academic programs and other major initiatives on campus that increased Bradley’s visibility.
“I thought we did a better job of telling the story of this university and what is available for all [students]” Shadid said. “I think the women’s club sports spurred a lot of interest … the initiatives of pickleball, sand volleyball and an amusement pavilion created a perception, or a reality, that there’s an environment here that students can enjoy.”
Enrollment wasn’t the only issue looming over Bradley in recent years. Following the shooting in Geisert, students were concerned about campus safety, and Shadid listened.
“After hearing concerns from students and others across campus, we commissioned a committee to take a thorough look at safety in our residence halls,” Shadid said. “The committee met throughout the past year, reviewed best practices at peer institutions, consulted experts and vendors and gathered input directly from students.”
Then, he acted.
“We have already implemented several of the committee’s highest-priority recommendations,” Shadid said. “The installation of cameras covering all residence hall entrances and exits is nearly complete. A nighttime customer-service desk model has been introduced in the residence halls, and the responsibilities of nighttime building rounds are now being done by the residence hall staff.”
“We also completed recommended improvements to entry and exit areas and added new bathroom signage. We expect to begin adding cameras in residence hall elevators this semester,” Shadid added.
Moving forward, Shadid’s extended goals include maintaining solid enrollment each year, finishing property initiatives to allow students better residential and dining options and to maintain a financially sustainable university.
Shadid believes it’s as simple as continuing to build on the initiatives already underway, but the most important step will be maintaining a united community on campus.
“I think when you combine faculty, staff, enrollment, marketing and all the people that can make, shape, sell and tell the story of this university, good things are going to happen,” Shadid said.
“But we have to be one.”
