Bradley Dotson advises students to “be open to individuals trying to help you,” and that “anything is possible as long the effort is there.”

Dotson, who graduated from USI in 2008, now has a successful career in Student Success at Ivy Tech Community College but said he wouldn’t be where he is now if not for his past.

Dotson attended North Central High School in Indianapolis where he was an active participant in basketball, rugby and social theater.
Recently after starting college his grades began to fall because “school wasn’t a priority,” he said.

He eventually lost all of his financial aid and was forced to quit college, forcing him to take various jobs at places like Goodwill and Two Men and a Truck.

Dotson knew he wanted to do something more with his life and made the decision to return back to college. He said it was much harder the second time around because he had to use his own money to pay his way through.

“I had to humble myself. Paying for classes myself was hard,” he said.

Todd Schroer, Dotson’s sociology professor was a major influence on him at USI.

“He was a really good student. I am glad to see him advance in his career at Ivy Tech. He was very driven and was an excellent speaker and communicator,” Schoer said.

“He wouldn’t allow me to just get through” Dotson said, “Schoer was a hard grader and he taught me how to be a more responsible man.”

At USI Dotson also was President of College Democrats at USI, in which committee worked on the Barack Obama campaign.
Dotson said he has many fond memories at USI including battles at the RFWC and voter registration drives.

“[Those were the] better times of my life,” said Dotson.

Some life lessons that Dotson continues to live by today are: “Thinking ain’t knowing” and “to do the right thing when no one is looking.”

Although Dotson enjoyed his time at USI, he did experience a culture shock when moving from Indianapolis. He mentions that Evansville had a smaller minority population, which was something he had to adjust to.

Dotson said he notices in many colleges and schools the faculty and staff are “safe picks” and that schools need to “diversify [their] hiring pool.”

“Students need to see people who look like them who are successful,” Dotson said.

He encourages students to be honest with themselves and know that the people and environment in which students surround themselves with can impact their success.

Dotson said it is important to get involved.

“You have to represent you,” he said. “If you are a person who goes from the dorm to class and back to the dorm, then nobody will ever know who you are.”

Dotson said he plans to pursue his doctorate within the next year and continue working in higher education doing what he loves, which is helping students succeed.