Dr. Bradley

    Dr. Cedric Bradley, Meridian Community College English instructor, has been named the 2011 Humanities Teacher of the Year and is set to present a free, public lecture at 2 p.m. Oct. 31, in the Casteel Gallery in the Todd Library on the MCC campus.

    In his lecture, “A Leadership Meets Literature: Using Fiction Literature to Examine Leadership,” Bradley will explore leadership traits from characters in A Raisin in the Sun, Death of a Salesman and Henry V.

    “I’m going to be looking at their successes, their failures,” Bradley said, “and talk about how literature can help to develop leaders.” In addition, he will intertwine the examples of real-life leaders including Peter Drucker and Stephen Covey in spotlighting leadership characteristics.

    This theme has deep roots for Bradley. “For several years I’ve been interested in leadership and how different people perceive leadership.” In his own life and career choices, Bradley looked to his mentors who themselves were teachers as well as leaders.

    While studying for a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology, Bradley changed his major to English his senior year. Knowing he wanted to continue, Bradley earned his master’s degree in community college education program. “That’s when I really knew I wanted to be in the community college arena.” Seeing his instructors, who were in leadership positions, also motivated him to continue until he received his doctorate.

    Bradley finds the community college setting best suited for him. “I really like it, because I was a community college student. I also understand the importance of giving people who would not have an opportunity the opportunity to get an education. That’s what the community college is all about.”

    A lot of students need a fresh start, a little help, Bradley said, and he offers encouragement. He recalls as a student at MCC, his instructors were “so down to earth, so approachable … I try to bring that same approachability into the classroom. I think that makes a huge difference in students,” Bradley said.

    A lot of people, Bradley said, didn’t know that he was “a product of developmental education. That’s what I always tell my students; ‘hey, I took developmental math and look at me now. I got an associate, bachelor, master and Ph.D. Just because you’re in this class that you need to get you where you need to go doesn’t mean you’re not smart.’”

    He readily shares this with his students for Bradley teaches English composition I and II and an intermediate class. But the teaching isn’t always one way. “I really try to learn about my students … get to know them. I talk to them before class, after class.”  An encouraging word from an instructor may be the only encouragement a student ever gets, he said.

    That encouraging word isn’t spoken at the community college level. Bradley volunteers as a study buddy at a local elementary school each Friday afternoon and Upward Bound football at his church.

    Tapped earlier this year as one of MCC’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Bradley said receiving the Humanities Professor of the Year accolade was “humbling. I’ve been very blessed this school year because I have received a couple of other awards as well,” Bradley said. “I’m the type of person who thinks others are more deserving, but at the same time I’m humbled by the selection. I was super surprised.”

    Bradley and his wife, Angela, are the parents of two sons, Caleb, 5, and Sean, 3.

     The award is designed to recognize outstanding teachers in humanities fields and/or teachers in other fields who use the interests and methods of the humanities to set a context for their own areas of study. It is co-sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Meridian Community College.

    “Each institution of higher learning in the state is invited to designate a member of its faculty for this award each year, to honor outstanding work and recognize significant contributions to teaching,” said Barbara Carpenter, executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council. “Recipients give a presentation or lecture about their research, special interests or writing to a public audience, and the institution provides a reception or other occasion for the honoree to answer questions and talk with the audience about their work.”

    Dr. Bradley will receive an honorarium from the Mississippi Humanities Council.

    “The strength of an institution lies in its instructors and the support that students receive,” said Barbara Jones, MCC vice president of operations. “Dr. Bradley is a product of the community college system, and he fully understands the mission of community colleges. Dr. Bradley is a classic example of the commitment required to be successful in a career path. I commend him for his dedication to our college, our students, and our community.”