After more than nine years of shaping young artists’ minds, Heather Ford is stepping up this semester as chairperson of the Art and Design Department at Bradley University.
Ford has more than 20 years of fine art experience. Before Bradley, she designed for Fortune 500 clients, including Disney and Nike.
When she first came to the campus, she was an adjunct professor. She progressed at Bradley through various roles – from instructor in residence to interim chair of the Interactive Media Department – and now, she’s entering a new chapter in her career.
Ford isn’t afraid to create change as the new chair; in fact, she believes it’s necessary.
“What’s really important to me is creating an environment of compassion and care where all voices are heard,” Ford said.
To create good in the community, Ford is working with students and staff in the department to bring a healthcare kiosk to Peoria, which would gather data from individuals who tell the kiosk what they need.
According to Ford, art and design are meant to make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable; they enhance your life.
The professor also plans to integrate an ad agency beehive where students can take on client-requested projects. She aims to mentor students alongside art and design professors and alumni. The idea is that this will grow across campus, allowing students of different majors to be involved as well.
Ford is equally excited about a new addition to the Art and Design department: the new graphic and user design major. In this program, she says students will create work that incorporates design thinking. These works are made client-ready and client-focused.
“We must contribute to people’s happiness,” Ford said, going on to reference a Dalai Lama quote.
“There are ways to contribute to make people happy. And one of those ways is to help others succeed.”
Fisher Stolz, the previous department chair, commended Ford’s mastery in her profession and his faith in her leadership.
“Heather Ford is a wonderful individual and a talented artist,” Stolz said. “She is a creative leader who manages time and people in a balanced, caring way. I have always enjoyed working with her.”
From working on the Bradley Fuse production showcase to helping UI and UX students with their project showcases as well, Ford is active in the Bradley community and continues to show out for her students and staff.
Ford’s nomination isn’t the epilogue to Bradley’s Art and Design department’s past – nor is it the turn of a page. Through her contributions inside and outside the school, she ensures her tenure will start a new book entirely.
