Office Hours with John Gardner
With 48 years of experience in higher education, Brad Williams had a front-row seat in watching Nova Southeastern University grow. Join this discussion on the institution’s history, achievements, and eight core values. Listen as he shares how continuous improvement prepares students for what’s next.
Dr. Brad A. Williams is Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs and Dean at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Arriving in 1989, Williams has created and developed numerous aspects of co-curricular life at NSU. These include entities such as NSU recreation program (1989), Greek system (1992), Student Leadership (1990), Campus Radio (1990), Student Union (1996), and Student Judicial System (2000). In 2006, Williams authored and designed initial proposals which have blossomed into NSU’s “University Center”, an $82 million ‘fusion’ building merging recreation, athletics, student union, and performing arts. Williams oversees a division that employs over 300 full-time professionals and 30 graduate assistants along with an annual operating budget of approximately $7 million.
Dr. Williams has also served as an adjunct professor since 1991, instructing methods and leadership development courses to over 2000 future leaders in Broward and Dade Counties as well as in The Bahamas. Additionally, Dr. Williams co-authored and teaches in the Masters in College Student Affairs program through NSU’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. Williams is celebrating his 48th year in Student Affairs. Prior to NSU, Williams served as Athletic Director for Marietta City Schools in Marietta, Ohio. Williams also has stops at St. Thomas University and Ohio University where he worked in director level positions in Residential Life. Williams began his career teaching high school English and coaching baseball and basketball. In addition to his doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern, Dr. Williams earned a Masters degree (St. Thomas: Sports Administration) and a Bachelors (Ohio University: Education).
Williams lives in Plantation, Florida, with his bride of 41 years Teri Sue. They have three adult children (Taylor Anne, Lucas Chandler, and Brice Alan).