UofL News: You started your career in dentistry and later transitioned into university administration. What’s a skill from your first career that has been surprisingly helpful in your current role?

President Bradley: Dentists must quickly diagnose conditions on the spot and act decisively to treat the condition and eradicate the problem. I think that has helped in my ability to quickly get the best information, triage accordingly, decide a course of action and implement the action. ��

UofL News: You’re originally from Ireland and have lived in Switzerland and various parts of the United States. What’s something about Louisville that has genuinely charmed you?

Bradley: The warmth of the people and the size of the city. It is so convenient to get around and it has all the attractions one would need to have in a city: great restaurants, performing arts, historical sites and museums, bourbon tours, a zoo, an orchestra and more.

UofL News: When you first moved to Louisville, running was something you enjoyed. Are you still a runner or is there another form of exercise you now appreciate?

Bradley: I’m still a runner and ran the Kentucky Derby Marathon in 2024. Typically, I run approximately 30 miles a week and love the opportunity to get out and enjoy the scenery, along with the relaxation it gives me. It sets me up for the day. I like to run early in the morning, and then I don’t have to worry about trying to fit it into my schedule later in the day.

UofL News: Leading a university is only part of who you are – for example, you also have five sons. How to do strike a good work-life balance?

Bradley: I don’t take my work home; I leave it all behind. I rarely will email in the evening, only if I must, particularly if it’s people who report to me. I want my home time to be my family time.

UofL News: It’s a busy job to serve as UofL’s president. If you unexpectedly had an hour of free time on campus, what might you be doing?

Bradley: Walking through campus seeing students – that’s what I really enjoy doing during the day. I try to have at least some walking meetings during the week.

UofL News: If you could trade places with any UofL student or professor for a day, what major or activity would you choose to experience?

Bradley: I’d do something fun that I have no skill or talent doing. So, for example, I like to listen to music, but I can’t sing or play an instrument. It would be so cool, though, to be able to do this for one day.

UofL News: College is full of firsts for many students. Maybe it’s their first time away from home. Their first big group project. Their first time doing laundry. What is a story from a “first” during your college days?

Bradley: The first time being put under pressure with a rigorous curriculum, and I was no longer able to take my studies for granted. During college, I also was selected as the class president for the first time.

UofL News: You’ve navigated different roles within UofL, from dean to provost to president. How do you know when it’s the right time to take on a new challenge?��

Bradley: You don’t always know, occasionally opportunities come your way. Keep doing well at the job you have and sometimes you are asked to take on new jobs and roles.

UofL News: What advice do you have for students as they set their sights on a future goal or career?

Bradley: Never give up doing what you love.

Having served UofL for nearly a decade, including as executive vice president and university provost since 2022, and dean of the School of Dentistry prior, Bradley expressed his enthusiasm for leading the university.

“My heart is here, and I’m very ready and enthusiastic about moving this university forward and continuing our strong momentum,” he said.

Bradley highlighted several successes such as record-breaking enrollment exceeding 24,000, on-campus living numbers and a 94.1% retention rate, a 3% jump that reflects strong student success.

Further emphasizing the university’s growth, Bradley noted UofL’s growing partnership with elected officials in Frankfort on state-funded construction projects, UofL Health’s expansion, the opening of a rural cancer center in Bullitt County and the beginning of a strategic plan designed to shape the university’s future through 2030.

“People change, but our mission does not,” Bradley said.�� ��

Personally, Bradley is looking forward to supporting research clusters in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, strengthening partnerships with the city to boost economic development, leading the redevelopment of the Cardinal Center property and improving student success—particularly for first-generation students.

“As a first-generation student myself, 38% of the students coming to this university are first-generation students and we are really moving the needle of social mobility,” he said. “My personal goal is to continue to increase enrollment, to increase our retention efforts and to increase our six-year graduation rates, all which have been rising steadily over the years.”

Bradley plans to conduct listening tours soon and be more visible on campus.

“I want to be seen as being part of the community,” he said. “The most fun part of the job is when I’m with the students. That’s why I get up every morning.”

Acknowledging upcoming challenges and priorities for the university leadership, Bradley addressed concerns about the new state legislation relating to initiatives regarding diversity, equity and inclusion at public colleges and universities in the state.

“Our intent is to comply with the law while clearly continuing our mission to make every person feel they belong and are part of our community,” Bradley said. ��

Bradley also identified potential financial challenges including federal cuts to National Institutes of Health indirect cost rates and the approaching NIL (name, image, likeness) settlement ruling. In response, the university is conducting scenario planning and has implemented a temporary hiring pause to “protect our mission and our people.”

Bradley signed a three-year contract, with a review period after two years. Learn more about Bradley on the .

The Power 50 list identifies the city’s most influential people in business and related communities. Louisville Business First selected honorees from individuals nominated by the public and those covered in the publication’s own reporting and sourcing, and did not include elected officials.

Schatzel secured a position on the fifth annual edition of the list in 2024 after being included in 2023’s “Five on the Rise.”��

Under Schatzel’s leadership, UofL secured a $24 million funding package to launch the Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Center, a statewide effort to transform the university’s clinical research infrastructure and combat chronic conditions that disproportionately affect Kentuckians, like cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.��

The UofL president also oversaw procurement of the funding for the new planned Health Sciences Simulation Center and Collaboration Hub at the downtown Health Sciences Center campus, a project made possible by a landmark $280 million investment by the state of Kentucky. The center will increase the impact of the university’s research and health professions education effort, benefitting people across the commonwealth by producing highly qualified physicians, dentists, nurses and public health professionals and fostering collaboration among the city’s health care organizations.

Also returning to the Power 50 list is��, who has led the university’s academic health system since early 2019 and was the overseer for the recently opened UofL Health – South Hospital. The new facility provides access to health care for residents of Bullitt County and southern Jefferson County.

The 2025 Power 50 list also includes numerous Cardinal alumni and donors, along with current and past members of UofL boards.

Additionally, Business First announced an inaugural Power 50 Hall of Fame category of honorees, all who have UofL-ties. They are:

• Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, most recently the owner of Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Bridgeman Sports and Media
• Christina Lee Brown, philanthropist, UofL Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute
• Edward “Ed” Glasscock, chairman emeritus, Frost Brown Todd LLC
• Alice Houston, co-founder and owner, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
• David Jones Jr., president and founder, Chrysalis Ventures
• Mike Mountjoy, founding partner and chairman emeritus, MCM CPAs and Advisors (now Cherry Bekaert)
• Phoebe Wood, principal, CompaniesWood and co-founder of KirtleyWood

The honorees will be recognized in the March 28, 2025, print edition of Louisville Business First, and online around this time.

UofL is number 489 on the list of 2,000 universities, placing it in the top 2.4% of the 20,966 institutions evaluated. CWUR publishes the only academic ranking of global universities that assesses the quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance without relying on surveys and university data submissions.

In the area of research, UofL was in the top 23% of the 2,000 listed universities based on total research papers published, number of research papers appearing in top-tier and highly influential journals, and the number of highly cited research papers. UofL was in the top 43% for graduate employability rankings based on the professional success of alumni relative to the university’s size.

“The CWUR ranking affirms the power of UofL’s research enterprise and our success in producing highly qualified graduates who are prepared to succeed in the workplace. It shows that we do, indeed, improve lives through research and education,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel.

UofL’s 2024 position among U.S. institutions improved over its 2023 ranking and places it in the top 40% of American institutions, outranking Syracuse University, Boston College, Clemson University and Miami University of Ohio. U.S. universities account for 329 of the top 2,000 in the 2024 rankings.

Bradley, dean of the since 2016, has served as interim provost since July 2023. He previously held that same role from January 2022 to February 2023.

“Dr. Bradley has been outstanding as interim provost, both during this past year and in his previous tenure,” Schatzel said. “During this process, I consulted administrative colleagues and others who have worked with him both as dean and as interim provost. Most important, I sought feedback from our Faculty Senate Executive Committee. All acknowledged his strong work as interim provost and supported the appointment.”

Bradley brings a wealth of experience and a record of accomplishment in his roles as dean of the School of Dentistry and, more recently, as interim provost. Since coming to UofL in 2016, he has played a key role in many important initiatives at the university, including co-chairing the Executive Budget Steering Committee and helping recruit several outstanding new deans, including recent hires , , and , , as well as , who will join the later this semester.

His priorities include student success, standardizing advising and introducing a strategic undergraduate success plan to dramatically improve retention. Under his leadership, the university announced the expansion of its Border Benefit Award that allows students from some neighboring states to attend UofL at in-state tuition rates. Additionally, UofL announced it is investing $2.4 million toward the’ Cardinal Commitment Grant for in-state residents in 2024, which will increase to over $8 million in the next four years.

As dean of the School of Dentistry he stabilized and enhanced its financial position, opened several dental clinics throughout the commonwealth that provide students more educational opportunities and provide access and equitable health care to diverse populations.

Before coming to UofL, he was chair and professor of developmental sciences at Marquette University School of Dentistry, where he also served as the associate dean for research and graduate studies. He previously served as the program director of the Advanced ����ֱ�� Program in Orthodontics at Marquette and is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Bradley also had an orthodontic practice during his time in Wisconsin.

Bradley received his dental degree in Cork, Ireland, his orthodontic specialty training at The Ohio State University, and a doctorate in dentistry at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Bradley has published extensively, producing more than 50 publications, including book chapters, journal publications, and presentations. His work has been focused on biomaterials and the testing of materials that are commonly used in orthodontic practice. He has had experience in clinical trials that involved testing the mechanical properties, patient perceptions, and biocompatibility.

Bradley is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Board of Orthodontics, the American Dental ����ֱ�� Association and the International Association for Dental Research. He also is an affiliate member of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve the Cardinal community,” Bradley said. “I want to thank President Schatzel, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees for their faith in me. I am committed to serving the needs of our students, faculty, and staff so that we continue the UofL mission, transforming lives, making new discoveries and supporting our communities and the commonwealth”

“I know you will join me in thanking Dr. Bradley for his leadership and congratulating him on his appointment to this vital role,” Schatzel said.

The UofL Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Schatzel during a special meeting on Nov. 30. Schatzel has served since 2016 as president of Towson University (TU), one of 12 universities that are part of the University System of Maryland. She also is a professor of marketing.

Schatzel, 66, who previously served as provost of Eastern Michigan University and dean of the College of Business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, will officially assume the UofL presidency on Feb. 1, 2023. She succeeds Lori Stewart Gonzalez, who has served as interim president since December 2021 and will be returning to her previous leadership role as executive vice president and university provost for UofL.

During her first remarks on campus, Schatzel pledged to start her tenure as president by going on a discovery tour, listening and learning about the Cardinal community.

“Leadership is a team sport, especially when it comes to such a complex and innovative organization like the University of Louisville,” she explained, promising to work closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, elected officials, businesses and community partners “to expand UofL’s already tremendous impact and address the great challenges of today.”

Schatzel’s track record of leadership includes advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as priorities. She is credited with building a strong academic profile at Towson University, which enrolls approximately 20,000 students, while emphasizing accessibility, affordability and inclusive student success.

With a 6-year graduation rate of 72 percent, Towson University has the second highest graduation rate in the University System of Maryland. In 2022, 57 percent of its students identified as underrepresented minorities, and TU is one of few universities in the nation where Black, Latinx and Pell-eligible students achieve the same graduation rate as the overall student population.

Schatzel is a member of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher ����ֱ�� and Immigration and the Presidents’ Trust of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).�� In 2017, she was honored by Maryland’s Associated Black Charities as their “Champion for More in the Middle” for her leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion at TU.

In 2020, Schatzel was honored with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Given by the Board of Directors of the Urban League affiliates across the country, the award is in memory of the civil rights leader and former head of the National Urban League. The award honors members of the Baltimore community committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in its region and Maryland.��

During her tenure as Towson University’s president, the University System of Maryland, Maryland General Assembly and Maryland’s Office of the Governor supported $1 billion in capital investment to advance academic instruction and research, student life and athletics at TU – the most in its 166-year history. Those investments included a new Science Complex, the renovation and expansion of the University Union, a new College of Health Professions Building, acquisition of an office building in downtown Towson to house several university functions such as IT and Advancement, and new field hockey and women’s soccer stadiums that comprise the largest investment in women’s athletics in TU’s history.

“The University of Louisville is a historic university with rich traditions that provides leadership to Kentucky as the premier metropolitan research university for the Commonwealth,” Schatzel said. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen to lead such a remarkable institution and look forward to working together with our campus and community partners to advance UofL’s reputation as a pre-eminent institution nationally recognized for its excellence in research and scholarly work, education, inclusive student success, innovation, the arts and athletics – all aimed to establish the University of Louisville and the City of Louisville as a nexus for transformative solutions that advance the public good.

“My husband Trevor and I are thrilled to be joining the UofL community and look forward to embracing the university community, the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky as our new home. And we look forward to joining the more than 150,000 UofL alumni from around the globe in cheering on our Cardinals.”

Schatzel, who is a first-generation college student herself, was born in New York and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and economics at Washington University in St. Louis, where she received significant support in the form of scholarships to complete her degree. She earned a doctorate in business administration, with concentrations in marketing and management of technology, from Michigan State University. She has taught at Boston College and the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

Schatzel currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA), a premier mid-major conference that Towson University competes in with 19 Division I athletics teams. She also served as the CAA representative to the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum.

Schatzel navigated a non-traditional path to higher education leadership. She is one of less than two percent of university presidents who have significant business and private sector experience, spending more than 20 years as a corporate leader and serial entrepreneur in the technology and advanced manufacturing sectors. As part of her new venture experience, Schatzel founded and served as the president, chief operating officer, and later CEO of a multinational advanced manufacturing firm, working with the OEM automotive industry, with more than 1,500 employees on four continents.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Maryland Medical System’s�� Saint Joseph Medical Center (UMSJC) and chairs its compliance committee. She also served in the leadership role of Vice-Chair for UMSJC. Schatzel has served on the Board of Directors for the Health Alliance Plan and the Henry Ford Health Systems, both based in Detroit.

Her leadership contributions have been recognized by Maryland’s business publication The Daily Record, which named her one of the Most Admired CEOs in 2017 and 2022 and recognized her with its 2018 Icon Awards. She has been named to the Most Influential Marylanders list in both 2017 and 2021.

In 2021 and 2022, Schatzel was included in The Daily Record’s Maryland Power 100 list and its Maryland Power 30 Higher ����ֱ�� list.

“Dr. Schatzel brings the best of many worlds to the UofL community,” said Mary Nixon, UofL Board of Trustees chair. “Her impressive climb through the academic ranks, as well as her extensive experience both in the business community and in health care, make her uniquely qualified to lead the university into our next chapter as Kentucky’s premier metropolitan research university.”

Schatzel’s husband of 39 years, Trevor Iles, is a lecturer in the department of marketing at Towson University. They have two adult children – son Matthew, his wife Katie and their two-year-old son Forest, and daughter Katie and her husband Carson, who are expecting their first child in January 2023.

• Read more information about Schatzel on the .��
• View photos from the Nov. 30 presidential announcement on .��
• View the held at the Belknap and Health Sciences Center campuses.��

I write with mixed emotions to share with you that I have accepted the position of President of Penn State University.

The decision to embark on a new chapter in my professional journey was not an easy one. I will miss our students, our faculty, our staff, our retirees, our alumni and our supporters, and I will miss my senior leadership team. All of you are among the best in the nation and are the heart and soul of our institution.��

Michael Wade Smith, vice president for university relations and chief of staff, will join my team at Penn State.

Leaders of great institutions are simply temporary stewards called to take great care of the mission and the people and to leave them better than they found them. Together, we have accomplished much, advancing the University of Louisville on several fronts. The academic profile of our incoming students has never been stronger; our research funding never higher; our Foundation never more stable; our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion never more robust; our facility transformations never more noticeable; our new brand and online presence never more impactful; our UofL Health system never better staffed, funded and appreciated; our work to improve our community, the Commonwealth and the world never more evident. And we have done it all during an unprecedented worldwide pandemic and through the painful tragedies of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

I have complete confidence this important work will continue and that the University of Louisville will rise to greater heights.

This is not goodbye. Over the next days and weeks, I will work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth transition. I will always carry Louisville and the Cardinals in my heart.

Go Cards!

Sincerely,

Neeli Bendapudi

The inauguration is part of a series of events scheduled next week designed to engage all of UofL’s constituencies — faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Louisville community — with festivities planned for all three campuses.

The celebration kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the SAC with a student social. All UofL students are invited to eat lunch with Dr. Bendapudi, which will be served by faculty and staff.��

Later that same day, at 6 p.m., an open reception and panel discussion will be held at the Speed Art Museum. The discussion will focus on UofL’s Town and Gown relationship and includes Dr. Bendapudi, Mayor Greg Fischer and local education officials.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, those on the Shelby Campus will be able to welcome Dr. Bendapudi with a breakfast, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The HSC faculty and staff social, in the HSC Plaza, begins at 11 a.m. Oct. 3, while the Belknap faculty and staff social is at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Humanities Quad.��

The final event of the week is the Inaugural Celebration, which will be held at 3 p.m. after the formal ceremony on Oct. 4. Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to attend.��

The full slate of inauguration events .��

“I don’t normally get to work this early. Not even close. But this is just too exciting to miss,” said one employee.

Escorted by Louie, Bendapudi made her way through the crowd, stopping to shake as many people’s hands as possible while an abundance of local TV crews followed.

“Please, call me Neeli,” she said to each employee.

��By the time she arrived at the microphone at the top of Grawemeyer Hall, Bendapudi seemed genuinely surprised by the turnout.

“It gives me goosebumps,” she said.

Bendapudi offered a few remarks before making her way to her new office:

“There’s no other place I’d rather be than here today. Let’s not forget why we’re here: We’re here for the students – to make sure we create the best place for them to learn and thrive and go on and solve problems that we can’t even imagine today.

“I commit to you, to all of the faculty and staff – whether you’re in the classroom, taking care of the grounds, whether you’re making sure the heating and cooling works – I commit to you we’ll try our best to make it a great place to work for you.

“And for all of you from the community: the fact that we have so much media presence here today speaks to the interest – the love – that the community has for the university and how much they want the town-gown partnership to be strong, to be sustainable, and to be something that lifts everybody. So, to all of you in the community, I give you my word that we will all work together to make sure you see us as a great place to invest your trust, your support, your guidance.

“In order to do those three things – a great place to learn, work, invest – we need to be a place that says ‘you’re a partner, you are here, you belong as much as anybody else does.’ We have to be a place that celebrates diversity, fosters equity and achieves inclusion for everybody.

“We have work to do … Our best days are ahead.”��

Read more about Neeli Bendapudi and . Check out pictures from this morning’s welcome event .��

Though Bendapudi doesn’t officially start at UofL until May 15, her early engagement with hundreds of UofL faculty, staff and students has been well received.��

“Dr. Bendapudi is absolutely the best fit for moving UofL forward to continued greatness. Her biography is striking: as an immigrant to this country, she learned early the value of public higher education and its transformative powers. She is an engaged faculty member, enthusiastic fundraiser, and a strong advocate for our students and the student experience,” said Will Armstrong, chair of the Staff Senate.��

“I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the times I’ve had the opportunity to speak with her I have felt genuine electricity. Her enthusiasm is infectious.”

Enid Trucios-Haynes, Faculty Senate Chair, said she “” with the choice of Bendapudi as president.��

“I am so delighted that she wants to be here,” she said. “And that she’s the first woman and person of color to lead our school speaks out loud to our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”��

SGA president Vishnu Tirumala tweeted that Bendapudi’s appointment makes him want to stay in school instead of graduating.��

A number of Bendapudi’s Kansas colleagues expressed their admiration for her via social media and on the record to local media outlets.

Sanjay Mistra, who teaches in the business school at Kansas, described Bendapudi to the as an “enthusiastic go-getter who sets big goals and works very hard to achieve them.” Mistra also pointed out Bendapudi’s fundraising prowess, noting that she led an initiative to build the $70.5 million Capitol Federal Hall on Kansas’ campus.��

On Facebook, Eric Pahls commented: “As a Jayhawk, I cannot tell you how great of a selection this is. While we will dearly miss her, our loss is your gain. She is a gifted leader.” And, on Twitter, a number of Jayhawks expressed their gratitude for Bendapudi’s leadership:��

“Neeli is absolutely amazing. She cares so much about students here at KU and in every interaction I’ve had with her she’s been so genuine. I’m so sad to see her leave KU but I’m glad she’s getting the recognition she deserves,” Katherine Riedel tweeted.

“I’ve been affiliated with KU in some form for 31 years and would be hard pressed to name a Jayhawk who represents us better than (Neeli Bendapudi). UofL got a good one!” – Nick Kallail

When she was introduced last week, Bendapudi told the UofL community that it “is not about��any leader having the magic bullet or having the secret sauce. It’s about helping me help you to make sure our best days are ahead.

“I so appreciate your trust and the confidence you’ve placed in me and I give each of you my word, I promise you. Every single day, every single moment – in big things and small – I will try to do my very best for this university.”

Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from her whirlwind introductory week below. Additional photos from the Belknap and HSC welcome ceremonies are .��

Video by Mark Hebert.