Dedicated to Service & Faith

Brad Voyles  grew up the oldest of three boys in a small farming community in Illinois where his parents worked in construction and bookkeeping. Brad was a first-generation college student at the time, although his mother later completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. At the age of nine, a simple invitation to Vacation Bible School changed the course of Brad’s life. His family began attending church together, and Brad soon embraced his faith, followed by his family.

Brad originally set out to be a veterinarian but later felt called to vocational ministry. Although neither of these plans played out exactly as he had imagined, one thing was always true in Brad’s life—he had a God-given love for the discipleship of others. This desire was fulfilled when Brad became a resident assistant (RA) in his undergrad and counseled freshmen through the challenges of college life.

Brad deepened his faith at a local church while in college and grew his leadership skills in InterVarsity at DePauw. After graduating, he became a resident director first at Southern Illinois University and then at Belhaven College, which combined his passion for college students and ministry that he’d first found as an RA.

On a visit to see his brother in Virginia, he met a biblical studies graduate student named Kelli. The two got to know each other long-distance, and Brad learned that Kelli had spent four years in Austria as a missionary kid and after college had taught English as a second language in Bulgaria and Romania. It was apparent that their hearts were aligned, so when she graduated, Kelli moved to Jackson, MS, and lived with a mutual friend until she and Brad were engaged and married the following summer of 1998.

During this time, Brad’s career at Belhaven led to the opportunity to fill the role of dean of student life, which continued to sharpen his decision-making and strategic planning skills. Several years and three children later, Brad was given the job description for vice president for student development and dean of students at Covenant College by a friend and co-worker. It was clear that this was the next step for Brad, so in 2005 the Voyles family packed up and headed to the mountain.       

While Brad has exhibited leadership at Covenant, mentored many students and young men, and become a ruling elder at Chattanooga Valley Presbyterian Church, he has also enjoyed seeing his family grow into roles of leadership and ministry as well. Kelli, having worked diligently in education for years, accepted her current position as research analyst in institutional effectiveness at Covenant in 2019. Brad and Kelli have hosted many Covenant students in their home, and Kelli is also very involved in their church, currently leading a young mothers’ Bible study.

Coby, a 2022 Covenant grad, served as an RA on his hall and still maintains those relationships today. Will, a current Covenant senior, was also an RA and serves in leadership roles on campus. Although Cate has just begun her Covenant journey, Brad is excited to see her get involved in her hall community and discover her own interests. Outside of work, Brad and Kelli enjoy outdoor activities, like camping and hiking, and cherish their family time, which often includes playing board games.

Throughout his career and personal life, Brad has navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and maintained a profound commitment to serving the Lord and others. His enduring trust in God’s guidance shapes his leadership, encouraging the Covenant community to work together to fulfill the institution’s mission.