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 Previously, Bradley taught human resource management
and criminal justice courses to graduate and undergraduate students
at Lindenwood University, Webster University, Maryville University,
St. Charles Community College, and Columbia College.
Bradley notes that, “Education has always been really important to
my family, instilled in me since childhood.” As a third generation
college student, Bradley achieved the highest levels of academia
that began with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Brown
University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia
College, a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law, and
a doctorate degree in public safety and criminal justice from
Capella University. Bradley expects to complete the coursework for
her second doctorate degree in education from Lindenwood University
in the fall.
“Though my mother taught elementary education for 40 years and
encouraged me to pursue other degree paths, after three careers, I
discovered my passion is education as well,” said Bradley.
Bradley is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience with a
private firm, the Department of Defense, and the National Labor
Relations Board. She also has more than 19 years of teaching and
training experience in various venues.
For 16 years, Bradley served in a St. Louis inner-city ministry,
practicing Christian Community Development, where she was
responsible for ensuring compliance with human resource and
employment law matters and advocating for a disenfranchised
population, including ex-offenders, homeless persons, addicts, and
other system-involved persons. During this time, Bradley moved to
inner-city St. Louis, recalling hearing gunshots every night and
having her home burglarized. “My job was to represent hope in the
midst of hopelessness. My vision then was to transform lives, which
is parallel to the vision Lincoln College has for its students. Our
students overcome so many obstacles and barriers to success and make
it,” said Bradley.
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bradley also served
victims of sexual assault as a victim advocate, volunteer
coordinator, and executive director of the Sexual Assault Center in
San Joaquin County, California.
Bradley also spent time working as outreach coordinator at St. Louis
Metropolitan Equal Housing and Opportunity Counsel, where she
educated realtors, landlords, tenants, homebuyers, and the community
about housing discrimination and their rights under the Fair Housing
Act.
Though a long and impressive career history, Dr. Bradley encountered
many obstacles leading up to her successes. Bradley was the first
African American student to attend St. Mary’s Episcopal School in
Memphis, Tennessee. As a young girl in a class of just 42 students,
she began her schooling in August 1968, 4 months after the
assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. “For many of the wealthy
students, the maids, butlers, and gardeners were the only African
American people they knew. Many of the girls didn’t want to include
me or their parents wouldn’t allow them to invite me over,” recalled
Bradley.
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Though a difficult situation to endure, Bradley reconnected with
her classmates from St. Mary’s years later during an alumni event. In October
2009, Bradley’s son, who had cerebral palsy and several psychological disorders,
passed away at the young age of 27. Her high school classmates generously paid
for his funeral expenses. “After losing my son David, I fell into
depression. My sons, Myron and Dominic, encouraged me to go back to school after
35 years and I haven’t stopped since,” laughed Bradley. “I went back to school
in January of 2010.”
Additionally, St. Mary’s Episcopal School now honors a student who demonstrates
leadership, courage, conviction, resilience, perseverance, and contributes to
the discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus with the inaugural
Donna Osborne Bradley ’74 Award. The award recipient must be a “student who
embodied the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion and worked to
demonstrate these beliefs within the St. Mary’s Episcopal School community.”
“Dr. Bradley will be an excellent addition to our leadership. We are very
fortunate to have an administrator with her experience and academic
accomplishments,” Lincoln College President David Gerlach said. Gerlach further
stated, “Donna is the most academically qualified and credentialed person that I
have had the pleasure to hire over the past thirty-five years.”
“We already know Dr. Bradley has an amazing rapport with our students and
community members and received overwhelming support from the campus community
from the search process. I’m excited to have her continue to lead the College
forward, expanding our degree options, while maintaining academic excellence,”
Dr. Gerlach added.
Dr. Bradley noted her excitement and eagerness to take on the VPAA role at
Lincoln College. “I am grateful, humbled, excited, and hopeful.”
Lincoln College is entering its sixth year in the process of transitioning back
to its roots as Lincoln University. The institution continues to offer two-year
associate programs, baccalaureate degrees, and graduate degree options with a
commitment to affordability.
Lincoln College also offers its highly successful Accelerated Bridge to
Education (ABE) program for working adults. The ABE program, offered on four
Illinois campuses in Lincoln, Normal, East Peoria, and Ogelsby, allows adult
learners to earn a bachelor’s degree while attending class one night a week in a
concentrated five-week format.
As one of the fastest growing private institutions in Illinois, the College
continues to add new degree options each year, along with expanded residential
housing options for students. Lincoln College is also competing competitively in
the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with additional
athletic program opportunities added in 2020.
“Lincoln College will continue to expand our opportunities for students in the
coming years, providing an exceptional education experience that is affordable
for families,” said Gerlach.
[Lauren Grenlund
Director of Public Relations
Lincoln College] |
