Faculty Profile

Bradley Watson is Professor and Chair of the Information Systems and Web Development Programs and a lead faculty member for the Computer Science graduate and undergraduate Programs at Franklin University. In addition to his thirty year’s in higher education, Bradley’s professional experience range from programming for the U.S. Air Force to Research Scientist in the field of information retrieval for OCLC, Inc. to Chief Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Aging. Bradley started working in the field of computer information systems as an apprentice programmer for the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. After successfully completing his apprenticeship and a Masters of Computer Science at the University of Dayton. Bradley held a number of succeeding positions in the field, increasing his level of responsibility with each move. In mid-career, Bradley returned to his educational roots, and joined OCLC, Inc., the leading supplier of computer-based systems for libraries around the world, as a Staff Scientist in the area of advanced technology assessment. During his 18 years with OCLC, Bradley held several positions, each with increasing responsibility and impact to the field of Library and Information Science. Bradley moved from technology assessment to being a Research Scientist performing fundamental research in the area of information retrieval for the OCLC Office of Research and then completed his career at OCLC as a Consulting Software Engineer on the latest incarnation of the bibliographic database that serves as the basis for all of OCLC’s products for libraries. From OCLC, Bradley moved to the Ohio Department of Aging as the Chief Information Officer and Chief of the Information Systems Division, followed by another move as manager of Web-based services for Progressive Medical, Inc. From there, Bradley came to Franklin University as Professor and Chair of the Management Information Sciences Program At Franklin University Bradley has served on Academic Senate, Chaired the Academic Senate Standing Committee, Academic Technology, and been a member of the Curriculum and Assessment Academic Senate Committees He has also served on several Academic Affairs and University Ad Hoc committees. Before joining Franklin University August 2006 as a full-time faculty member, Bradley held a number of adjunct faculty member positions over a span of 30 years, including at Franklin University, Ohio Dominican University, Columbus State Community College, University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College. Bradley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English from the University of Dayton, three Masters-level degrees (Library Science – George Peabody College for Teachers, English – Wright State University, and Computer Science – University of Dayton, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in English. He is currently working on completing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Nova Southeastern University.