Bradford Sims

Academic Administrator, Higher Education

Hi, I'm Bradford Sims and have worked around the US and Europe in Higher Education and the Construction Industry. Purdue and University of Florida Alum. Currently, President of Capitol Technology University

Bradford Sims's Bio:

I am Bradford Sims and as a highly accomplished global executive, I take organizations to greater success through vision, insight and strategy. Considered an agile, multi-dimensional leader I am recognized for making a measurable contribution through innovative thinking and successful execution. Through best practices in project/program management, I pioneer game-changing outcomes, driving change through new revenue streams and rapid, sustainable execution. I am skilled in leveraging technology to create industry-leading programs, products and services, and I deliver subject matter knowledge, an approachable working style, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for advancing organizational missions. Highlights... Innovation – Deployed state-of-the-art technology to reduce costs, facilitate operational efficiency, and drive competitive advantage. Turnarounds – Increased enrollment and introduced new industry focused educational programs at three organizations that were in decline, with one achieving a 75% increase in only four years. Organizational Leadership and Team Building – Created several high performance teams that met and exceeded business expectations across varied market sectors and organizational settings. Global Business Expansion – Secured agreements with partners in US, Europe, Brazil, and Asia, expanding the brand and creating a global footprint that generated record awareness and engagement. Program Management – Achieved record margin return and oversaw six different far-reaching performance improvement initiatives. Strategic Positioning – Diversified income streams and created competitive advantage through alliances with corporations, foreign partners, and the military. Additional competencies… • Process Improvement • Strategic Partnerships • Operations • Staff and Team Leadership • Strategic Planning • New Product Development • Performance Metrics • Relationship Management • Branding and Marketing • Organizational Development • Financial Acumen • Decision Support

Bradford Sims's Experience:

  • President at Capitol Technology University

    May 2017 - Present | Laurel, MD

    Recruited based on unique combination of academic leadership experience and subject matter knowledge to elevate the quality of educational offerings globally for the purpose of driving enrollment in a challenging market. Capitol began as an electronics training institute in 1927 and has continued to diversify and expand its programs and constituencies in engineering, information sciences, and technology-business leadership. It is now a full-service university, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, along with specialized certificate-earning training programs. Capitol is a STEM university with a strong humanities underpinning of general education. Its flagship programming includes degrees at all levels in cybersecurity, for which it has become a Center of Academic Excellence, as designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Capitol also offers a complete portfolio of business and management programs (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) focused on technology industries. Other notable programs include Astronautical Engineering, which enjoys the support of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and contractor organizations, and Electrical Engineering, recognized by the IEEE and accredited by ABET. The university is located on a quiet suburban campus 10 miles north of Washington and 20 miles south of Baltimore. The educational philosophy emphasizes hands-on practical learning, in laboratories, internships, and projects. The curriculum is workforce-directed, and the university offers a job guarantee; job placement typically exceeds 90 percent. The educational experience includes student teams (e.g., the Cyber Battle team), clubs (e.g., Robotics), and student societies (e.g., Society of Women Engineers).

  • Chief Academic Officer for Worldwide at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

    September 2013 - April 2017 | Daytona Beach, FL

    Recruited to this $350M, non-profit higher education institution and the world’s largest, fully accredited university based on unique combination of academic leadership experience and subject matter knowledge to elevate the quality of educational offerings globally for driving enrollment in a tough market. Manage seven direct reports responsible for 150 full time and 2500 adjunct faculty, and 50 administrative staff, overseeing three colleges and 22,000 students, generating an industry-leading graduate employment rate. Manage, create or update online courses and schedule sections. Provide direction around instructional design, online education and quality, center for teaching and learning, student and career services, and online advisors. Cultivate strategic relationships with private sector corporations, other universities, and military. Develop professional development programs for corporate market. * Stemmed two-year decline in enrollment, and put enrollment on a path to growth. * Increased the volume of online course creations and/or updates. * Won sole source agreement with Microsoft for “Microsoft’s Software and Systems Academy” (MSSA) for all military. * Established dual degree programs in key geographic and business markets. * Expanded university’s brand by adding degree offerings in business, cybersecurity, engineering and communications. * Introduced and led development virtual labs using gaming system technology to enhance online course experiences. * Initiated technology evaluations of course delivery software that improved software and reduced in license costs. * Named #1 in US News and World Report’s 2017 “Best Online Bachelor’s Program”.

  • Interim Chancellor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide

    January 2015 - May 2016 | Daytona Beach, FL

    Appointed to reverse declining enrollment while maintaining academic quality, optimizing financial returns and expanding the university’s offerings globally. Managed full P&L for $100M budget, 500 full-time faculty/staff, 2500 adjuncts and a campus with more than 22K students in 130 locations globally, while continuing to serve as chief academic officer for the worldwide campus. Provided strategic vision and leadership. Built a high performing team and instilled collaborative culture. Led branding, interactive marketing and social media initiatives. Acquired and implemented state of the art technology for student recruitment. Managed authorization process for university programs in all 50 states. * Generated the largest margin return in campus history. * Increased enrollment, creating a positive enrollment trend from a previous two-year drop. * Named #1 in US News and World Report’s 2016 “Best Online Bachelor’s Program”. * Reduced military undergraduate tuition rate for active military and families. * Turned around financial performance of Office of Professional Development. * Completed dual degree contracts with large universities in South Africa and the United Kingdom. * Expanded educational delivery to military bases from the US, Europe and the Pacific. * Implemented “site core” website software to improve the student experience.

  • Dean, College of Technology at Indiana State University

    August 2009 - August 2013

    Brought in to this $57M independent, public university to help reverse enrollment decline in college of technology. With multi-million-dollar operating budget, led ten direct reports overseeing 75 full time faculty and administrative staff. Expanded live and online courses. Drove integrated branding, marketing, and interactive social media strategies. Improved communication between college and students, as well as external stakeholders. Introduced and developed innovative curricula and programs. * Turned around enrollment, and grew international student population. * Brought the first Built Environment department to an Indiana university. * Consolidated all military programs, and built service center for veterans. * Created multi-million-dollar wholly university-owned flight academy. * Built state-of-the-art distance education delivery classroom, leading to increase in online enrollment. * Created first “center of excellence” in the Unmanned Systems Outreach for the university and the state. * Grew dollar amount of grant proposal submissions. * Developed first-ever diversity plan and led other colleges in diversity hiring. * Secured multi-million-dollar Siemens Corporation software donation

  • Dept. Head, & Founder of Construction Management at Western Carolina University

    August 2002 - July 2009

    Recruited to launch and lead program in construction management as central part of university’s enrollment growth strategy. Hired faculty, wrote curriculum, developed and implemented marketing initiatives for degree programs including a campus based undergraduate program and one of the first online Master’s degree. Represented and promoted the program around the world and among wide range of stakeholders. Focused research on LEAN construction and computer technology. * Grew undergraduate from zero majors to hundreds and administered a continually increasing budget. * Collaborated with Joe Kimmel, owner of the nation’s leading construction executive search firm, on an endowment, resulting in eight figure contribution, the largest in history of WCU. * Established Industry Advisory Board consisting of more than 25 national company representatives. * Developed dual degree program with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Ireland. * Assisted high schools throughout North Carolina to implement construction career academies. * Pioneered highly successful Construction Management Career Fair. * Introduced the first virtual computer laboratory on campus

  • Assistant Secretary General at International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction

    July 2001 - July 2002

    During leave of absence from the University of Florida, spearheaded all program coordination, including monitoring and intervening in the programs of CIB commissions. Initiated and facilitated high-level activities in the context of the CIB proactive approach. Focused on worldwide research and innovation themes including sustainable construction, performance-based building, and business / process reengineering. Serviced membership of 600 organizations, a network of 60+ scientific commissions, and 25-member board and its standing committees. Promoted and marketed CIB using Internet and liaised with partner organizations. * Managed the start of the performance-based building project under the European Commission’s Growth Program with 47 member organization.

  • Assistant Professor at University of Florida

    August 1999 - July 2001

    Taught six courses per year. Served on university committees. Wrote grant proposals. Authored journal articles. Performed research on LEAN construction in association with the Lean Construction Institute. Advised Graycor on implementing LEAN construction tool “Last Planner”. * Wrote proposal that led to establishment of construction management program at Western Carolina University. * Proposed and wrote curriculum design for new program on industrial construction management.

  • Graduate Instructor at Purdue University

    August 1996 - August 1999

    Participated as a vital part of the teaching faculty with assignments and general activity programs for the Construction Surveying class and Project Management capstone class, with responsibility for developing and executing lectures, labs, and tests. Participated in three continuing improvement classes for the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractor’s Management course. Worked closely with other professors to recommend a continuing education program for all Indiana licensed contractors.

  • Graduate Instructor at University of Florida

    August 1995 - August 1996

    While completing Master’s degree, coordinated with State of Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Division, licensed Florida contractors, and occupational physician for workers’ compensation research. * Earned Florida state certification to teach continuing education courses to contractors; authored three continuing education modules.

  • Project Controls Supervisor at Cherne Contracting Corporation

    April 1993 - August 1995

    Established California office and supervised employees involved with project controls, payroll, and craft personnel administration for this $200M industrial, union general contractor. Coordinated manpower, productivity, and schedules with other partner companies. Collaborated with procurement and engineering to ensure timely, accurate delivery of materials and engineering drawings. Assisted with computer applications, mainframe applications, and performance issues.

  • Cost Engineer at Badger Engineers

    June 1992 - April 1993

    Developed project budgets including equipment tracking on tanks, drums, towers, heaters, and other components for petrochemical projects for this global designer and builder of petroleum and petrochemical plants. Established database to track equipment purchase and show impact of change requests on final cost in any world denomination. Tracked vendor contracts. Maintained operations reports. Prepared change orders.

  • Project Controls Engineer at Westinghouse Savannah River Site

    May 1990 - June 1992

  • Owner at ConstructionEducation.com

    January 1998

    Started one of the first Construction Industry Information Websites focused on education as a Graduate Student. From 1998-2002, this was turned into a fully developed website with pages of information maintained for free access to the public. As the Internet grew and competition from large organizations took over this space, I moved it to a basic information site to help those interested in construction degree programs at universities and internship options. It is still active today at this basic level.

Bradford Sims's Education:

  • Purdue University

    1996 – 1999
    Ph.D.
    Concentration: Curriculum & Instruction

  • University of Florida

    1995 – 1996
    MSBC
    Concentration: Building Construction

  • Purdue University

    1985 – 1990
    BS
    Concentration: Building Construction Management

Bradford Sims's Interests & Activities:

Technology, Building Academic Programs, Supporting Careers in: Aviation, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Construction, Engineering, Critical Infrastructure, Data Science, Safety, Unmanned Systems, Facilities Management, Robotics, Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and Apprenticeship Training.