President Gerry Bradley and Interim Provost Kathryn (Katie) Cardarelli are just a few days into their new roles at the University of Louisville, and neither is wasting time introducing themselves to the Cardinal community. Bradley and Cardarelli were at the April 2, 2025, UofL Faculty Senate meeting and the April 8, 2025, Staff Senate meeting to share their short- and long-term priorities.
First up was Bradley, who was unanimously voted president by the Board of Trustees on March 26. In his remarks, Bradley emphasized how 鈥渉is heart is with UofL,鈥 and that played a significant role in his decision to accept the appointment.
鈥淚 am excited about the future of our great university,鈥 said Bradley, who joined UofL as dean of the School of Dentistry in August 2016 and served as provost in both interim and permanent roles since 2022. 鈥淲e have fantastic people in place to keep our momentum going forward.鈥
Bradley, along with Faculty Senate President Eugene Mueller, Staff Senate President Kevin Ledford and Board Chair Diane Medley, fielded questions about changes in university leadership.
Mueller and Ledford said the timeline needed to conduct a national search (average 1.5 to 2 years) was not practical given the immediate needs of ongoing university initiatives.
鈥淭he constituent representatives on the board 鈥 Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government 鈥 were all fully involved in the process and stand by the measure,鈥 said Mueller.
Bradley was appointed with a three-year contract, rather than the customary five-year contract. In two years, the Board of Trustees along with all appropriate shared governance mechanisms, will conduct a formal review of Bradley鈥檚 work.
鈥淲e have a strong leader in President Bradley, and we look forward to working with him,鈥 added Medley.
In his remarks, Bradley said that there will be no major changes in policies or priorities from the previous administration. Those priorities include completion of the university鈥檚 current Strategic Plan and development of the new Strategic Plan, which will be introduced in early 2026. Growing student enrollment and retention are among other university goals.
When asked about the potential impacts of the recently passed (an act relating to diversity, equity and inclusion), Bradley said that the university is an agent of the state and must abide by the law. However, the university鈥檚 general counsel, along with the general counsels from several other Kentucky universities, is working with the state attorney general to get clarification on what the law requires.
Interim Provost Cardarelli echoed Bradley鈥檚 comments about the university鈥檚 current priorities. She added that student success is one of her priorities and wants to create initiatives that promote a shared understanding among faculty, staff and administrators of their respective roles to prioritize a meaningful and productive higher education experience for UofL鈥檚 students.
Cardarelli will also drive ongoing efforts to ensure that faculty compensation standards are competitive in today鈥檚 market.
Concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts鈥 impact on UofL鈥檚 international students and faculty were raised at both meetings.
Paul Hofmann, associate vice provost for international affairs, addressed those concerns with Faculty Senate, and Cardarelli did so with the Staff Senate.
Recently, rumors circulated about ICE agents detaining international students on the Health Sciences Center Campus. Cardarelli and Hofmann said that these rumors were not true and noted that, if ICE were to come to any of the university鈥檚 campuses, they would first contact the University of Louisville Police Department.
The larger concern, according to Hofmann, is international students鈥 ability to return to the United States after traveling abroad, including those who travel as part of UofL-sponsored travel abroad programs. While a visa allows an individual to attempt to enter a country, it does not guarantee entry. The final decision on whether one is allowed to enter rests with the immigration officials at the port of entry.
The UofL International Center provides guidance to international students on how to best consider their decisions to travel abroad for personal, academic or professional reasons.
The next meeting of the University of Louisville Faculty Senate is Thursday, May 1, 3-5 p.m., Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library, Belknap Campus. Meeting minutes, committee reports, action items and other information are available on the .
The Staff Senate鈥檚 next meeting is Tuesday, May 13, at 2:30 p.m., on Teams. Meeting minutes, committee reports, action items and other information are available on the .
