Title: Director of Housing and Residence Life
Company: Midland College
Location: Midland, Texas, United States
Bradley Gwatney, Director of Housing and Residence Life at Midland College, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Higher Education Administration.
Mr. Gwatney’s professional journey spans more than 15 years in the field of higher education and student affairs. Since September 2024, he has served as the director of housing and residence life at Midland College, where he manages all aspects of campus housing for a diverse population of over 180 students, including many international residents. In this capacity, Mr. Gwatney oversees the housing application process, supports students from their initial application through move-in and throughout their on-campus experience, and addresses any issues that arise during their residency. His daily responsibilities include managing operations across a 24-hour campus environment, reviewing overnight incidents with staff, monitoring facilities to ensure safety and functionality, coordinating weekly operations with departmental personnel, and conducting regular staff meetings to set objectives and address concerns. Mr. Gwatney is deeply involved in mentoring resident assistants and entry-level professionals, guiding them in student engagement and professional development while coaching staff toward achieving educational goals within student affairs.
Before his current appointment, Mr. Gwatney held the role of director of housing and accommodations at Midland College from October 2023 to January 2025. During this period, he played a pivotal role in launching the college’s resident assistant program, an accomplishment he considers among his most significant. Drawing from his earlier experience at Odessa College, Mr. Gwatney developed comprehensive training and mentorship initiatives for resident assistants that fostered leadership opportunities for undergraduate students.
Under Mr. Gwatney’s guidance at Odessa College, as the housing coordinator from 2012 to 2016 and later as the director of student housing, the resident assistant program grew from three participants to six. He also helped facilitate 50-60 activities annually for a residential community of more than 245 students. These efforts not only increased budget allocations but also contributed to the personal growth of resident assistants, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in teaching, medicine and other fields. Mr. Gwatney continues to mentor former resident assistants as they progress through advanced degrees and professional milestones.
Between 2022 and 2023, Mr. Gwatney served as a parole officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. His diverse background also included experience as a general store manager at Kent Kwik for over six months in 2021. Earlier roles included area program director at Special Olympics Texas from 2019 to 2020 and director of residential living at Sul Ross State University between 2016 and 2019.
In addition to his primary positions in higher education administration, Mr. Gwatney has maintained an active presence in athletics officiating. He served as a field referee for the Lone Star Conference Track and Field Championship in 2025 and the NJCAA Track and Field National Championship. Mr. Gwatney’s officiating experience extends across volleyball, basketball, baseball, track and field, and football, including work as a referee for University Interscholastic League events.
Mr. Gwatney’s academic background has been integral to his professional trajectory. He has held an Associate of Arts in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science in emergency management, both since 2011, from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He later returned to college to acquire a Master of Education in leadership in higher education and student development from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, earned in 2026, a degree supported by Midland College’s financial assistance program.
Throughout his career, Mr. Gwatney has demonstrated a commitment to professional development through active membership in several organizations, including the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International, the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers, the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, the Texas Association of Sports Officials, the Permian Basin Basketball Officials Association, where he serves as treasurer, and the Permian Basin Volleyball Officials Association, where he also serves as treasurer. Notably, as an undergraduate at Arkansas Tech University from 2010 to 2011, he represented the institution on the regional board of directors for the Southwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls.
Community engagement remains central to Mr. Gwatney’s philosophy. He has served as the president of the Optimist Club in Odessa for a year and has also dedicated time as a key volunteer with Special Olympics Texas, a cause close to his heart since his tenure as area program director. Mr. Gwatney’s involvement also includes participation on the nominations and elections committee for Citizens on Patrol with the Midland Police Department in Texas, as well as co-chairing the awards and recognitions committee for SWACUHO and volunteering with Citizens on Patrol group activities in Midland, Texas.
Reflecting on his greatest professional achievement thus far, Mr. Gwatney points to his early work at Odessa College, where, at just 22 years old, he established a functioning resident assistant program from scratch despite being only slightly older than those he was training. The success of this initiative laid the groundwork for similar accomplishments at Midland College, where Mr. Gwatney continues to modernize programs that support both students and staff.
Mr. Gwatney attributes his success to unwavering determination, self-starting initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Looking ahead, he remains committed to enhancing housing services at Midland College by developing innovative programs that prepare students for future challenges while supporting staff growth within the department. Mr. Gwatney is also considering doctoral studies as part of his ongoing professional development but values the balance between work responsibilities and personal interests.
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