Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Coordinator of Academic Operations Ritchie Bradley won first place in the 2025 “Best Innovative Practice” competition at the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR) conference.
Bradley earned the top honor for creating LMU’s Credit Hour Calculator, a practical tool that helps academic leaders quickly verify that courses meet or exceed institutional and regulatory standards for instructional time and student workload.
“The credit hour calculator Mr. Bradley developed has made it fast and easy for deans, department chairs, and program directors to ensure LMU’s courses meet or exceed the minimum institutional and regulatory requirements for instructional engagement and outside work,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jay Stubblefield. “This is a cornerstone of academic integrity and SACSCOC accreditation. We are proud that his efforts were recognized at the SAIR conference and pleased that other institutions can benefit from the innovative, user-friendly tool he created.”
Each year, SAIR recognizes a program, workflow, or process that significantly improves efficiency or outcomes in institutional research. This year, LMU’s entry outperformed submissions from the University of Georgia and Central Piedmont Community College, which placed second and third, respectively. SAIR presented the award during its annual conference on September 29 in Alexandria, Virginia.
As the coordinator of academic operations, Bradley supports institutional research, academic reporting, and process improvement initiatives across the university. He focuses on data-driven decision-making, efficiency, and tools that enhance academic integrity and compliance.
“I’ve always enjoyed finding creative, data-driven ways to make our work more efficient and transparent,” Bradley said. “It’s exciting to see how innovation at LMU can have a broader impact on higher education.”
Bradley graduated from LMU in 2020 and has been employed by the university since. His wife, Emma, will graduate with a DO degree from the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in May.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
