Brad Voyles

Brad’s collaborative and solutions-oriented initiatives in higher education have benefited the college and helped him develop strengths of strategic thinking and decisive leading. His ability to communicate clearly has guided efforts in crisis management and cross-departmental collaboration. Furthermore, his gift for storytelling has been instrumental in team-building, conflict mediation, and relational engagement.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Covenant College
Interim President, May 2023-October 2023

Covenant College
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, 2005-2023

Bellhaven College
Dean of Student Life, 1997-2005

Southern Illinois University
Resident Director, 1994-1996

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Vanderbilt University
Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Policy, 2014

Reformed Theological Seminary
M.Div., 2000

Southern Illinois University
M.S. Ed., Educational Administration in Higher Education, 1996

DePauw University
B.A., Biological Sciences, 1994

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

at Covenant College

Thinking Institutionally
Served on the president’s cabinet under two presidents, providing counsel and serving the campus community by thinking through decisions that impact current and future students and employees all while keeping the college mission first.

Leading Decisively
Has made difficult decisions through collaboration and then communication to all institutional stakeholders.

Strategic Planning
Played a part in three different campus-wide strategic plan processes, including leading the athletic department’s strategic plan, which involved coordinating the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III.

Enrollment & Retention
Spearheaded retention initiatives that led to record-high retention rates, providing leadership on an interim basis in admissions and financial aid to create a new team culture while rebuilding systems and reimagining recruitment strategies.

Crisis Response
Led the multi-disciplinary campus Emergency Response Team, including developing and leading the COVID-19 response efforts from 2020-2022, and communicating to the campus, external constituents, and the public.

Team Building
Built cohesive teams in student development by hiring, developing, and leading deans and directors who love the mission of the college and are passionate for discipleship.