Idaho State Hires Adam Bradford as Dean of the Graduate School

Bradford has more than nine years of experience in higher education, including serving as associate dean of graduate studies in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University.

“Dr. Bradford is what Idaho State needs right now to successfully lead us into the future,” said Laura Woodworth-Ney, executive vice president and provost. “His high level of experience will lend strength and support to our programs and the Graduate faculty. We are very excited to welcome Dr. Bradford to our Bengal family.”

Bradford also previously served as director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, department head for the Department of Philosophy, director of the Ph.D. program in Comparative Studies and associate chair of the Department of English. He also currently serves as chair of the University Graduate Programs Committee, member of the University Graduate Council, and faculty senator. Bradford researches and teaches 19th-century American literature and culture. He is the winner of the 2018 Gargano prize for his work on Edgar Allan Poe.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to Idaho State University to serve a unique and diverse graduate student population,” Bradford said. “I am committed to enhancing the well-being of the graduate students at ISU, and working openly and collaboratively with faculty and departments to strengthen current graduate programs and to build innovative new ones – all of which will prepare our students to engage successfully with the challenges and opportunities of our era.” 

Prior to his career in higher education, Bradford spent seven years as an English teacher and executive administrator for a private school in Salt Lake City. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, a master’s degree from Brigham Young University and a doctoral degree from the University of Iowa.

Bradford will assume the role at Idaho State in February.