The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association presented State Rep. Kevin Brooks the Harold Bradley Leadership Award for Excellence in Higher Education Policy during the TICUA Annual Meeting on Tuesday. This is the highest award given by the Association. The Bradley Leadership Award is named for former Tennessee State legislator Rep. Harold Bradley, who was instrumental in developing state financial aid programs for college students.
The TICUA Board of Directors voted unanimously during their fall 2012 Board meeting to honor Rep. Kevin Brooks for his work to support TICUA member institutions on a wide range of issues. A state representative since 2007, Rep. Brooks has been a "champion" for independent colleges and universities at the Legislature. Rep. Brooks has provided legislative leadership on such issues as student aid, teacher education, and university governance. Rep. Brooks has served on the House’s Education Committee and has supported TICUA member institutions on issues such as the lottery scholarship and teacher education reform, officials said.
Rep. Brooks is both an alumnus and a previous employee of TICUA member Lee University in Cleveland. Lee University President Paul Conn says, “Rep. Brooks has keen insight into private college administration through his former role as assistant to the President at Lee University. We are proud to have such a distinguished state leader call himself an alumnus of our institution.”
TICUA President Dr. Claude O. Pressnell, Jr. said, “Representative Brooks has proven his dedication to college students, especially private college students, and ensuring that the financial resources are available to allow them to concentrate on their studies. Brooks has worked at the State House to ensure that student aid programs such as the Lottery Scholarship and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award are available to make college affordable for all Tennesseans.”
TICUA Board Chair and Baptist College of Health Sciences President Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey also indicated her support of Rep. Brooks’ work on higher education policy. “Rep. Brooks understands that Tennessee’s private, non-profit colleges are an important state resource and offer Tennesseans a vast variety of options. TICUA is pleased to be able to honor Rep. Brooks and his leadership on independent college issues with this award.”
Dr. Pressnell added, “Tennessee’s private non-profit colleges enroll nearly 78,000 students and award over 18,000 degrees a year and thus are an important part of the State’s higher education landscape. TICUA and its members look forward to a strong relationship with the Rep. Brooks and other state leaders in continuing to educate Tennesseans.”
TICUA engages Tennessee's private, non-profit colleges and universities to work collaboratively in areas of public policy, cost containment, and professional development to serve better the state and its citizens. For more information about TICUA, visit www.ticua.org