In a unanimous vote, the USI Board of Trustees have ascended 36-year employee Steve Bridges to the top administrative spot on campus.
He was selected from a candidate pool of 100, said Chris Ryan, USI Board trustee and chairperson for the Presidential Search Committee.
“We were extremely impressed with the caliber and expertise of the candidates who expressed their interest in USI. Candidates included current university presidents, provosts, deans, as well as student affairs executives from industries and even beyond higher education."
But Bridges rose to the tp of this list.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1989 and master’s in 1995. As president, he said he’s responsible for everything that happens on campus — academics, student affairs, athletics, marketing and even working with legislators in Indianapolis.
But one main goal is growing the talent pipeline and increasing enrollment.
“I want to have USI be a driver of applied research to help our companies in this area,” he said. “I want to be a driver of the talent pipeline for this region and the state of Indiana — those are hallmark items for me.”
He said that includes working to secure state resources. “They've been very supportive of us.”
Bridges said USI is “well positioned” regarding funding, and supporting a diverse student body in a time when Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs are being closed on college campuses across the country.
Bridges was appointed interim president last summer when Ronald Rachon left for a position out of state. Prior to Interim President he was USI’s Vice President for Finance and Administration.
Learn more about USI President Steve Bridges here.
Twice graduating from USI, and twice shaking the president’s hand at the time, he said becoming president is “surreal.”
“USI, it's such a jewel that I really want to offer many opportunities for our students and internships to help the business community to help themselves, and I want to provide a lower cost education, but high quality and high quality so important.”
As president he said he’s excited to carry on strengthening relationships with local businesses, industries and regional school districts.
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