Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dr. Peggy Bradford selected as next SCC college president

Dr. Peggy Bradford

Following the conclusion of an intensive presidential search, Shawnee Community College welcomes a new college president this summer semester.

Shawnee Community College has announced the selection of Dr. Peggy F. Bradford as the college’s eighth president.

The Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees selected Dr. Peggy F. Bradford of Elmsford, New York on June 5, 2017 at its regular monthly meeting.  Bradford succeeds Dr. Tim Bellamey who retired at the end of April.

Steve Heisner, board chair, said that the board was very pleased with the search process, which involved members of the college faculty, staff, administration, community members and board.

He added in a news release, “Dr. Bradford brings a fresh perspective to our college community and district and we are very excited about her vision to provide strong leadership while engaging the college and its constituency in a joint effort to stimulate an environment that prepares our students for success, provides a catalyst for industry, engages in cooperative relationships with our local high schools and creates a culture that makes people proud to be a part of Shawnee Community College.”

Being no stranger to the area, Bradford is a Southern Illinois native and attended Shawnee Community College earning her Associate of Arts degree.

Bradford now returns to her alma mater as president with plans to advance the college by encompassing a student-centered approach to enrollment, retention and culture.

Bradford previously served as the Provost and vice president of academic affairs at State University of New York (SUNY) Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York.

Bradford provided leadership and operational management for the Academic Affairs division, facilitating the Academic Master Plan, Enrollment Summit, accreditation site visits and Achieving the Dream site visits.

Bradford earned her Ed.D. in higher education administration from Northern Illinois University, Juris Doctorate in corporate and business planning law from The University of Iowa-College of Law, Master of Science in administration and community development from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and Bachelor of Science in counseling and administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

For more information, contact marketing coordinator Katie Armstrong at 618-634-3270 or katelynna@shawneecc.edu.