Bill Bradford ’02, who developed leadership skills as a Transylvania University student, athlete and coach, was recently named to a top position with Fayette County Public Schools.
As the new assistant superintendent of school leadership for Kentucky’s second largest district, Bradford specifically oversees the chiefs of schools, who in turn supervise and evaluate principals. He also helps plan and implement a variety of top-level initiatives.
Bradford started as a Spanish teacher at Lafayette High School after studying the language at Transylvania and deciding to stay in Lexington. He eventually left to serve in educational leadership roles elsewhere in the state and earned a Doctor of Education from Northern Kentucky University, but he came back to the district — the one where he began his career, making his advancement even more special.
Since he returned to FCPS in 2022 — at first as a chief of middle schools — he’s coordinated the district’s complex strategic plan, an evaluation of faculty and staff engagement (workplace conditions), the naming of the new Mary E. Britton Middle School and the subsequent rezoning of middle school student attendance areas in Fayette County. Bradford has also presented at state, regional and national conferences.
He pointed out a perk of helping lead the local district — something that deepens his connection with it: “There are a variety of other Transylvania alumni I now get the opportunity to work with in a professional setting.” It helps him stay engaged with two school communities he feels close to.
Back when Bradford was a student, he made an impact across campus by taking advantage of experiences that gave him a “chance to demonstrate leadership.” For instance, he was active in the Student Government Association, Student Alumni Association and in a first-year urban community engagement program.
Sometimes his roles of guidance were formal, sometimes informal, said Bradford, who also cultivated leadership as a Delta Sigma Phi brother.
Additionally, he was one of the school’s greatest divers of all time, finishing as the 1999 NAIA national runner up in the 1-meter event and going undefeated in conference championships. After graduating, the Pioneer Hall of Famer was Transy’s dive coach for six years, yet another way to step up and serve his school community.
“Leadership manifests in different ways,” Bradford said.