Angie Cooksy: 0:12

Welcome back to another episode of the Bradley University Podcast. We are your hosts. I am Angie Cooksy. I serve as the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications.

Ben Jedd: 0:21

And I am Ben Jedd. I am AVP of Marketing and Communications.

Angie Cooksy: 0:25

We record each episode live down in the Hilltop Studios, which is an awesome space for our current students and our staff and our faculty to have access to today's technology to do things like this, where we can meet you in your car or on your bike ride on the why are you laughing at me? There was a plan in my head, and then Ben started laughing at me. I'm just saying it's not just television anymore. There's lots of different media opportunities.

Ben Jedd: 0:51

Totally. I understand.

Angie Cooksy: 0:53

This is how we work together every day, guys. It's not great. It actually is great.

Ben Jedd: 0:58

It's great. Um, yes, people can listen to this on their bike in an elevator. Yes. Anywhere they want.

Angie Cooksy: 1:05

On any streaming platform.

Ben Jedd: 1:06

Yep.

Angie Cooksy: 1:06

Because we have set them up with all of them. Yep.

Ben Jedd: 1:09

Right? We are from the future.

Angie Cooksy: 1:11

We are. We're doing it. It's gonna be great. Um, so this is if you have joined us before, what you know then about the show is that um Ben and I make jokes that nobody else probably finds funny, but we amuse ourselves with ourselves with. Um, but then really the heart of the show is that we get to talk to the amazing people in and around the Bradley community to highlight the work that's happening truly every single day on this campus. And so today's guest is Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu, who serves as the interim dean for the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology and the Foster College of Business, which might be the longest title potentially on campus. But uh, Dr. Kris, welcome to the show.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 1:50

Thank you, Angie. But I think your title is longer than mine.

Angie Cooksy: 1:53

Is it? I don't know. We have to count letters, I think. I think you have more words though. Um First of all, we're so excited to have you here. Uh, this is the idea of the show is to highlight you. So we're gonna talk a little bit about your experience and and what that's looked like um to get us started. Can you talk a little bit about your background and your journey to the seat that you sit in today in the foster college and the caterpillar college?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 2:17

Oh, sure. Yeah. Um, who doesn't like to talk about themselves, right?

Angie Cooksy: 2:21

You would be surprised. Actually, a lot of people are very uncomfortable about that when they come on our show.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 2:25

So well, I mean, so I started my journey back. Um I did my undergraduate degree in India at uh place called IIT Madras, and then um I got my graduate degrees at the University of Iowa. I went to the University of Florida for about a year and a half as a postdoc, followed by then maybe three years at uh Brooklyn Polly, which is actually now part of the NYU School of Engineering. Yeah. And that's when our second daughter was born. So my wife is from Iowa and we were looking for opportunities in the Midwest. So, you know, when that was the right time for me to move. And when I came to Bradley, I just fell in love with the place because I just saw that the faculty, the people I met, and the students I met at the time, and this is going back a ways, they were fantastic. So the students and the faculty and the people are really the reason I came. The other reason I came is also because of all of the opportunities that you have. So for example, if somebody wanted to do research and teaching, which were both my passions, you could just engage in that. And you could do things that you really wanted to do. So that was uh, and my field is water resources and environmental engineering and things like that. So I came in 1997. So that's that's my 29th year here at Bradley University.

Angie Cooksy: 3:40

Oh, that's awesome. I was just gonna ask you, uh, because you mentioned research and and things like that. Uh what you so you mentioned environmental and water research, like what are some of the research you've done over the years that you have really enjoyed doing that maybe you still do now?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 3:56

Yeah, um, when I first came to campus, what I I love interdisciplinary research. And so the first thing I did was I went to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and I said, uh, hey, you know, let me go talk to some professors there. So I talked to folks in chemistry and biology and some in physics and math, and then I found out that uh I had a connection with one of the professors in uh biology. So he and I started to do some work together. He was uh he was more in the evolutionary biology area, and uh so then we started to work on um the water quality stuff on the Illinois River, and that was a very popular project for many of our grad students because we used to go out on the boat uh along the river and do sampling. And then we had a lot of experiments going on in both biology as well as in engineering. So that was a very rich uh exchange that was going on for many years, and uh a lot of good stuff came out of that. We had a lot of graduate students, both biology majors as well as engineering majors who benefited from that. So um research is wonderful, especially when you have those kinds of students, and you can, you know, you just kind of it just happens. Yeah. The magic happens.

Ben Jedd: 5:08

So uh you've been here for some time. I actually first came to Bradley in 1997 as well. I left and came back. But uh what do you love about your job and what do you think makes Bradley unique?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 5:25

I love almost everything about my job and it has evolved. I love that. I love that. But the best part is actually the students and the people. I mean, I love uh working with uh both grad students and many undergrad students. Undergraduate students are our strength here because we get to work with them for four years if we start out right. But grad students, I just get to keep them for maybe a year. Yeah. So um, you know, I've had a lot of success with uh working with my colleagues, with undergraduate students on many, many different research projects over the years in my role as an assistant professor, associate, and then a full professor. And now, you know, at some point in your career you come to a stage where you enjoy helping others reach their potential, helping them get to their goals. And that's what that's where I am in my journey here at Bradley University today.

Angie Cooksy: 6:17

One of the things that I have had so much fun working with you on this year, Kris, as we've gotten to work together is I have a lot of ideas, but you might have more ideas on a daily basis, possibly. Like I feel like you are always sort of thinking about how could we do this differently? How could we approach this in a in a new way? How can we share this with a different audience? And so can you talk about some of the ways that you think about launching new ideas in either the foster college or in in the cap in engineering or even just at the university in general? Because I think the idea of building ideas is something that takes time and and talents to be able to do. And I think you do it really well.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 6:55

Thank you, Angie. I'm afraid to let anybody inside my head.

Angie Cooksy: 6:59

I feel very I totally relate to that.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 7:02

So, you know, I think uh the uh ideas are always there. So it's just uh, you know, recognizing those opportunities and seeing what can come from them is kind of what I I love that. And many of my ideas are collaborative stuff, collaborative ideas, and then I like to bring people along. And so that actually is the joy in, you know, kind of making those things happen. You know, ideas will remain ideas if they don't get converted into strategy, into action plans, and then to execute on that. So I like to follow through on those as much as I can. I mean, there are some ideas which are crazy, uh, but their time hasn't come yet.

Angie Cooksy: 7:45

I'm gonna start saying that.

Ben Jedd: 7:46

I think that's really good.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 7:47

I think that's good.

Ben Jedd: 7:51

Um, so what's something people may not know about you or your Bradley experience?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 7:57

Um about my Bradley experience. Um, you know, I think uh uh most I I keep a very open book in terms of like what I So everybody knows about your Bradley experience. Most of our folks know. And you know, the other things I do is I don't know if you if you know this, but I I play a game called Bridge, which is a card game, and I'm pretty decent at it. We I won a national championship.

Angie Cooksy: 8:22

Wait, what does one win a national championship at Bridge?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 8:28

Well, it's a it's a team game, you know, and so you have to, there's about 50 districts in the United States. So there's about, I mean, so there's 25 districts in the United States, so two states approximately in area per district. So you have to qualify at the district level, win there, and you go and represent that. And so I was actually representing part of Illinois, Iowa, a little bit of Minnesota, and things like that. So when when were you bridge national champion? This is a while ago when I was a grad student. Yeah. Wow, that's awesome.

Angie Cooksy: 8:58

We learned the coolest things on this show. Um, I just got really like that's just fantastic.

Ben Jedd: 9:06

We should have a bridge tournament.

Angie Cooksy: 9:07

Oh sure, yeah. I only know how to play Euchre. I don't think it's the same thing. It's not. It's not, no. Um, that's the growing up in Michigan part of my life. Um when we talk about Bradley, we talk so much about you know, this the people here and the stories and the students. Um, can you share a student or an alumni story that you think really highlights the Bradley experience that you've been a part of?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 9:30

Oh, there's lots of them. Uh it's like, okay, you're trying to make me pick my children kind of thing. Yes, absolutely. Who's your favorite? No, uh this uh, you know, there's lots of uh stories. I think the ones that really touch me are the ones where we have students who through whatever reason, whatever for whatever reason, they just uh may not be able to make it through until they have that support. Um, and that's something that I like to do. So I I I have gotten involved with quite a few of uh those kinds of students who are really smart, but it's just something that they need it at a given time. Sometimes it may be as something as simple as just a few hundred bucks, or it may be they just need this scholarship to get through this part, or sometimes it may just be a hand with you know some homework or whatever it is, in in an area which is not mine, but you know, I would then either I would try to do it or I would recruit others to do it. But those are the most satisfying experiences, and uh, you know, I uh today when I look at some of them, I think, wow, you know, this kid wasn't uh you know, he wasn't that great in in this particular class, but look at him now, he's like the VP of this. So it's I think all the students who come to Bradley University are really brilliant. And it's just uh I feel like it's my responsibility to make sure that they get what they need. And different people uh have different needs at different time, and it's a question of recognizing that.

Angie Cooksy: 11:03

Yeah. Good. You had a question. I wanted to, you know, we talk a lot obviously about what's going on on campus and in our current students. I think one of the things that I have gotten to see you sort of uniquely do is look at other populations of students. And so we've got the you know, business and engineering club that you have for middle school students and high school students, and you've been really instrumental in in fostering TEDx coming to campus, which has also been open to the community. And so, what has it been like to create things that are maybe not for just one audience on our campus?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 11:35

Yeah, I I think uh as a as a university community, we were siloed for a long time and we we still have silos like that. And any chance I get to break those silos, I might seize the opportunity. I mean, what better way is there to bring other than to bring people together for something fun? You know, I mean, we were going through a rough time, and then I said, you know, why don't we do TEDx? So that was a long application, I can tell you that. It took a long time to get through. And then once we were approved, you know, I said, okay, now we have to go get the speakers. And so that that was the first year. Now we have to do it. Yeah. So then the execution comes, right? So it but I thought it was not just for engineering or business, but it was for the whole university. And then it's also beyond us to the Peoria community. I think I don't think that the university is alone. It is a part of this ecosystem in the Greater Peoria, and also I would say in the state and nation. I mean, we have we have roots and we have friends in all parts of the world, you know, because of our international students who've gone back and they've just excelled in so many disciplines, not just engineering, but sometimes in sciences, sometimes in the arts, etc. So it's a it's it's really a rich group of uh people that we graduate from here. And anything I can do to bring people together for those kinds of opportunities is wonderful. And recruiting, and you know, that's kind of like one of the things, just like you, that's top on my mind. So then, you know, I had this idea, uh, it was a crazy idea. I didn't know if it'll work. So we, you know, with this whole business and engineering club, and uh what we did was um uh I had a couple of alumni who were interested in doing something like this a few years ago. But then they when I talked with them, they said, you know, why don't you try well, we'll we'll help you with this, we'll give you the support, which is a fine, not a whole lot of financial support to get that going. And so I said, okay, I'm gonna try it. Last this we started in July of 24, is kind of when I thought, okay, we'll try to get this going. But then one uh then uh I was lucky enough to find a really good partner in the um District 150 superintendent, and Sharon Karat did a wonderful job. Dr. Karat uh helped us to connect with everybody in the community, and uh so that especially with the students, and then the students started to come here, and I I mean I didn't know all that would would actually happen in exactly that way so quickly. So, in about a matter of a couple of months, three months, you know, we got that going. And the response was so good that I think we're gonna continue that, and now the word is spreading so that people kind of know about it. So other schools are also coming. Yeah. So I think we are a community, and you know, Bradley is not alone, and Bradley is part of this big, you know, uh ecosystem here. I use the ecosystem because of my own technical.

Angie Cooksy: 14:33

It's all tied together. Yeah. Um, so one of the things that we ask everybody that comes on the show is you know, we talk a lot about what makes Bradley special and the and the work that you know you get to engage in. Um, but putting you on the spot a little bit in your role or in, you know, maybe your experience in the classroom. Um, what are you, Dr. Kris, unapologetically exceptional at?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 14:57

I would say teaching. I love teaching. I mean, that's one thing I miss in the this role as a dean because there's not enough time to do all of that.

Ben Jedd: 15:05

You run the show, you could you could pick up a class.

Angie Cooksy: 15:08

What's your favorite class to teach?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 15:10

It's funny. I I've taught 32 different classes at Brown. Oh and I mean, ranging from in engine in um civil engineering, and then I also taught one in uh geology, engineering geology, chemistry, and things like that. So it's it's been a but I I love any course that gives it's a little challenging, you know. That that's that's because if I can make something which is challenging easier to comprehend and bring it to uh uh to the students in a way that they're able to get that material, digest it, and then make it their own, I think I would have succeeded. I feel like I've succeeded in that. So I I would say that would be my biggest strength. And the other one is I would say just to be able to work with different people and bring people together.

Angie Cooksy: 15:54

Yeah.

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 15:55

That's great.

Ben Jedd: 15:56

So thank you so much for joining us today. This has been really enlightening and and just positive. So thank you.

Angie Cooksy: 16:02

Yeah. We have to learn how to play bridge.

Ben Jedd: 16:04

We have to we do. And then we're gonna beat him.

Angie Cooksy: 16:07

I don't think that that's how that is gonna go at all. Uh, but we could we maybe we should start with learning. We'll start there. We'll try that. Um, is there anything else you would like to share or add that maybe we didn't ask you or that you would like to people to know?

Dr. Kris Maillacheruvu: 16:21

Yeah, I think uh uh the study abroad and the international opportunities for our students are just amazing. And uh, you know, this is again undergraduate students doing research. And I worked with some of my colleagues, some really exceptional colleagues at the time in my department. And uh we took undergraduate students to conferences in Australia and Spain, and you know, these these were undergrad students and along with all PhD and uh professors, and they were the only two or three uh you know undergrad students at that conference. So it gave them that con that confidence and that uh ability uh to have that trust in themselves so that once they graduated, they just went on and they just flew away and and then they just uh excelled in their own careers and lives. So those are the kinds of stories that that I like because Bradley has these kinds of opportunities that I think many other universities don't have or don't do to the extent that we do the way that we do it.

Angie Cooksy: 17:22

Yeah. Ben and I are also available if you ever need a study abroad person to go with you. Australia, we could do Australia. We could do Australia. We could do Australia. We could teach a class. We pitch this to everyone who comes. So we we're still working on it. Um thank you. Thank you, everybody, till for listening. Uh, as always, we record in the lower level of University Hall in Hilltop Studios, uh, which is an opportunity for us to just engage in the spaces that our students have access to every day, which is a little bit about what Dr. Kris is talking about, about why this place is so amazing, is there's things and resources and opportunities for our students and our faculty and our staff. So thanks everybody for listening. Until next time, this is the Bradley Podcast.