USF selects Dr. Brett Bradfield as next university president
Following a rigorous, nationwide search, the University of Sioux Falls Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday that Dr. Brett Bradfield will become 23rd President of the Sioux Falls-based, Christian, liberal arts university.
Dr. Bradfield, who is currently serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at USF, will start February 6, 2017, as President. He will succeed President Mark Benedetto, who announced his retirement plans last year.
The USF Board of Trustees wishes to express its deep appreciation for Dr. Benedetto’s leadership and legacy to the university.
Tom Lillibridge, Board of Trustees Chairman, praised Dr. Bradfield’s appointment based on his outstanding academic qualifications, proven experience, and Christ-centered leadership at the university and throughout the community.
A 16-member presidential search committee made up of faculty, staff, students and trustees spearheaded the search, and after a seven-month process of vetting a highly qualified group of candidates, the Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Bradfield.
“Dr. Bradfield embodies USF’s mission and traditional motto of ‘Culture for Service’,” Lillibridge said. “As we consider the university’s long-standing history of sending well-educated servant-leaders into the world, we believe that Dr. Bradfield is an outstanding choice. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are excited by Dr. Bradfield’s appointment.”
Dr. Bradfield thanked the Board of Trustees for entrusting him with the Presidential role and expressed gratitude to the faculty and staff of USF for their dedication to the institution.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected for this role,” Dr. Bradfield said. “I intend to honor the university’s legacy of integrating faith and learning. I also look to the horizon for opportunities to strengthen USF’s role in the community, state and nation. I have the good fortune of working in a university with an extraordinarily talented and devoted group of faculty, staff and trustees that not only embraces its Christian and academic mission but also is committed to serving the community.”
Dr. Bradfield began his time at USF as Director of Graduate Programs in 2000, moved to a cabinet-level position as Vice President for Professional Studies and eventually assumed the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2006.
Throughout these appointments of increased responsibility, Dr. Bradfield directly administered, advocated for and helped lead to the creation of 17 new academic initiatives for the university.
One example of Dr. Bradfield’s leadership is the creation of a well-respected nursing program thanks to seed funding from a $2 million Title III federal grant that he helped secure. Today the nursing program offers three tracks that nursing students can pursue to complete their education. The nursing program’s 96% percent pass rate for 2016 is ten points above the national average and among the highest in the state.
The Board of Trustees and the academic community is looking forward to the next chapter in the history of the University of Sioux Falls.
Dr. Bradfield and university stakeholders will determine next steps for replacing his current position in coming weeks.