Welcome James E. Shadid As Our New Leadership

James E. Shadid has been named Bradley University’s 13th president, the university’s Board of Trustees officially announced this on March 14, 2025.

The decision to hire Shadid, a federal judge and 1979 Bradley graduate, to lead the 128-year-old Peoria institution came by unanimous vote at a special afternoon meeting of the Bradley Board of Trustees on March 12.

Shadid succeeds former President Stephen Standifird, who left the university in June, 2024. Jonathan Michael, Bradley Board chairman and retired CEO of RLI Corp., has been serving as interim university president since that time. He will return to the Board when Shadid assumes his duties April 1, 2025.

Shadid currently serves as a United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois, appointed to that position by U.S. President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 7, 2011. Along the way, he ascended to chief judge in his federal stint on the bench. He also was a state judge for 10 years before that, serving in the five- county 10th Judicial Circuit. After graduating from John Marshall Law School (now UIC School of Law) in 1983, he became an attorney in private practice in the Peoria area.

Shadid has long given back to his alma mater, both as an adjunct professor and as a former university Trustee. His roots at Bradley run deep, from his own experience as a student and baseball player on the Hilltop to other family members who became Braves, including his late brother George, son Jim, niece Lauren and 12 other cousins and their children.

Shadid and his wife, Jane, are the proud parents of three adult children: Jim, Joe and Maggie. He is the son of the late Lorraine and George Shadid, the latter an Illinois state senator and Peoria County sheriff.

“Bradley has been a major part of my life for virtually my entire life,” said Shadid. “Few other influences have made a more profound impact on me, and now I hope, with lots of help, to return that favor. I am honored, humbled and grateful for this opportunity. I am thankful for Jon and his leadership in the interim role, and I thank the search committee and the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me.”

“We don’t think we could have made a better choice at this juncture of the university’s history,” said Matt Vonachen, interim chair of the Bradley Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “Jim really stood out among the finalists for his knowledge of the university and his insights into what the institution’s needs are now and into the future. And, of course, his lifetime commitment to Bradley speaks for itself.”

“As I prepare to pass the torch, I am delighted to welcome Jim as Bradley University’s President. I have no doubt that under his leadership, Bradley will continue to thrive and build upon its legacy of excellence," said Jonathan Michael, Bradley’s Interim President. "It has been an honor to serve as Bradley’s interim president and to work alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, and students. During my time in this role, I have gained an even deeper appreciation for the passion and commitment that make Bradley such a special place.”

Shadid said that increasing enrollment and stabilizing Bradley’s financial condition, along with creating a roadmap for the future, will be immediate priorities.

“Our inheritance from our founder, Lydia Moss Bradley, is something in which we can both take immense pride and use as the foundation for a more prominent and prosperous future for all who are touched by Bradley University in any way,” said Shadid. “We have a rich and storied tradition of cultivating knowledge in our students through professional and dedicated faculty who truly care about them, who help them develop a strong work ethic and versatile skill set that serves them, their families and their communities well. Bradley’s positive influence extends well beyond this immediate area of the country.

“I am well aware of the high expectations that faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and the greater Peoria community have for me, and rest assured that I have those same high expectations for myself. I have every confidence that this fine university will continue to be a center of academic excellence and of a superior student experience across the board.

“I truly believe that Bradley’s best days as a premier institution are ahead of us.”