Published: April 26, 2016
Akirah J. Bradley, CU Boulder campus

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Christina Gonzales has named Akirah J. Bradley as the associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students effective Aug. 1. Bradley is currently the assistant dean of students at the University of California, Berkeley.

Lisa Severy has been serving as the interim dean of students since Aug. 1, 2015, and will return to her post as assistant vice chancellor of Student Affairs and director of Career Services.

As the University of California, Berkeley assistant dean of students, Bradley managed complex student issues, serving as a strategist for crisis and providing the vision and oversight for the campus Student of Concern Committee and creating and managing the Student Affairs Case Management and Violence Prevention and Bystander Intervention Office.

Gonzales says that CU-Boulder is excited to bring someone of Bradley’s caliber and experience to campus for this role.

“The dean of student’s role oversees so many critical aspects of the student experience,” said Gonzales. “Akirah is a dynamic administrator and is uniquely qualified given her extensive experience in various areas of higher education, including student development, equity and inclusion, policy implementation, student and staff engagement, crisis management, violence prevention and student retention efforts.”

Gonzales added that Bradley is highly recognized for her contributions to the student affairs profession within the realms of crisis management and leadership of behavioral intervention teams. She is an administrative visionary who leads with compassion and creates an environment for staff to be innovative and improve upon student success outcomes. In 2012 she had the unique experience of serving as the assistant dean of students and chief conduct officer on a Semester at Sea voyage.

“I am honored and beyond excited to join the CU-Boulder community,” said Bradley. “I cannot wait to meet the staff, faculty, administrators and students working to create an engaging and supportive campus environment for student learning and success.”

Bradley says her aim is to meet students where they are and assist in supporting student development and growth from the point of entrance to CU-Boulder through graduation.

“I look forward to working with an amazing student body to reach their highest ambitions through their journey at CU Boulder,” she said.

Bradley holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in education in higher education student affairs administration from the University of Vermont. She is also pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Davis.