Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service
Bradley University and The Dirksen Congressional Center have partnered to launch the Institute for Principled Leadership—promoting ethical, bipartisan leadership at every level of government. Building on Bradley’s legacy of public service leaders like Bob Michel, Ray LaHood, Laura Kelly, and Robin Kelly, the Institute serves as a Midwestern hub for statesmanship and civic engagement.
The Institute hosts public policy symposiums, brings influential speakers to campus, and supports leadership education through Bradley’s Leadership Studies minor. Students gain real-world experience by helping implement programs and engaging with national, state, and local leaders.
Symposiums
Every year the Institute holds a public policy symposium on important national, state, and regional issues. Top governmental officials, often including cabinet level officials, and public policy experts come to share their knowledge and insights with Bradley students, faculty, and community leaders. Students also benefit by interacting with these distinguished leaders and participating in the symposiums. The symposiums are endowed by the Dirksen Congressional Center.
Visiting Speakers
In order to become a leader you have to learn from leaders. That’s why the Institute invites national, state, and regional public servants to Bradley’s campus. Every year distinguished speakers come to Bradley to offer students and the Peoria community the rare opportunity to hear about and benefit from their experience and insights.
Internships & Scholarships
About
Brad McMillan
Executive Director for Institute For Principled Leadership In Public Service
Brad has been the Executive Director of the Institute since its inception in 2007. Brad has a long history of community and public service in Central Illinois and a record of bipartisan relationships with federal, state, and regional elected officials. Before joining the Bradley University team, Brad served for a decade as District Chief of Staff for former Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Brad’s collaborative leadership approach brings positive results to both statewide and regional boards he has served on including CHANGE Illinois, The Nature Conservancy, Heartland Health Services and the Build the Block referendum campaign that resulted in the magnificent Peoria Riverfront Museum.
In 2009, Brad was named to the Illinois Reform Commission tasked by Governor Quinn to clean up state government. In 2021, he received Bradley’s Mergen award for outstanding public service. He has a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and a B.A. degree in Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Central Illinois has a rich legacy of producing principled public servants who have risen to national prominence and have a profound impact on our country and our world.
All of these national leaders with strong ties to the Peoria area share similar values. They treated colleagues from both political parties with mutual respect, they were known for their integrity, and they placed the best interests of our country above partisan politics. For centuries, principled leadership has played well in the Peoria area. The Institute believes that this legacy of leadership can play well nationally and serve as the model for future generations.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln served the Peoria area in Congress and then went on to end the scourge of slavery, thus becoming our most revered President.
Ronald Reagan
(Eureka College) Through President Ronald Regan’s stalwart leadership the Cold War ended without a shot being fired.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Lucas
(Havana, Ill.) Lucas was a strong advocate for farmers, raising the minimum wage, and was instrumental in the re-election of President Harry Truman in 1948.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen
(Pekin, Ill.) Dirksen played the pivotal rol in securing the support of 25 of 33 Republican Senators to pass the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. In Dirken’s impassioned speech he stated: “I trust that the time will never come in my political career when the waters of partisanship will flow so deep as to obscure my estimate of the national interest.”
U.S. House Republican Leader Bob Michel
(Bradley alumnus) Michel used his masterful legislative skills to shepherd President Regan’s tax reduction programs and strong defense policies through Congress.
Congressman and Secretary Ray LaHood
(Bradley alumnus) LaHood lead congressional efforts at promoting civility and because of his fair-handed demeanor chaired the House of Representatives during proceedings on contentious issues. President Barack Obama appointed him the 16th U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Secretary LaHood is the first Bradley alumnus to hold a Cabinet position.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly ’77
(Bradley alumnus) Congresswoman Kelly ’77 has served the Illinois 2nd Congressional District since 2013, and is known for her bipartisanship and her national leadership on gun safety and healthcare.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ’71
(Bradley alumnus) Kansas Governor Kelly ’71 is the first Bradley alumni to be elected as a governor of a state and she is known for her civility, common sense, and strong bipartisan leadership. She has served since 2019.
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