Bradford assumes new position

Corey S. Bradford Jr. comes to Prairie View A&M University as the senior vice president for business affairs.

His chief responsibility is to ensure the health and growth of all financial operations at the university. He is also responsible for administrative support services to enhance the instructional, research, and public service missions of the university.

Bradford has 18 years of higher education experience in managing complex financial and administrative functions.

He earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in business from Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) in 1993. He obtained a Masters of Science degree in applied math and statistics from the same university in 1995.

Later, he earned a doctor- ate in higher education and educational administration at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) in

2008.

While working at Southern Illinois University, he helped the institution obtain over $3 billion in state appropriations. Having worked in higher

education, he says that there are differences between Prairie View and Southern Illinois University.

"Business is business anywhere you go, but one major difference at Prairie View as opposed to other schools I've been to is the family atmosphere. Prairie View has a closeness between the faculty, staff, and students that is unique," said Bradford.

As the chief financial officer of the university, there are some challenges that Bradford sees ahead of him. One of them is increasing the sources of the university's revenue stream to break dependency on government funding. The key to that, according to Bradford, is focusing on the students.

"Happy students equal happy alumni. If we ensure that students have a great experience while here at the university, they will be more inclined to give back, thus helping the university grow in the long run," said Bradford.

Bradford is committed to helping the university offer first class programs and facilities. One major way he and the university have begun to initiate that is with a $15 million investment in deferred maintenance. This will go toward upgrading facilities that are outdated.

He said, "The way to en- sure growth at the university is to work together, plan effectively, and invest in our priorities. We must be

student centered."