Ansley Bredar

As the Director of First-Year Academic Programming and Success, Ansley oversees the implementation of the FYC (Finding Your Centre) course as well as other student support initiatives–with particular focus on assisting students with the transition to college and connecting them to the many opportunities and resources at Centre. In addition to working directly with first-years, Ansley coordinates a wonderful team of students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years who serve as mentors to each new incoming class. 

Working with Centre students is especially meaningful to Ansley, as she graduated from Centre College herself with a B.A. in English (Class of 2013). She continued her education by earning her M.F.A in Creative Writing from Eastern Kentucky University’s Bluegrass Writers Studio. Her work with EKU’s Noel Studio for Academic Creativity was the start of her passion for working on the other side of the classroom, and began her career in the student success field. Her time spent with a number of institutions–both as an instructor and in administrative roles–has only furthered her love of working with students, and her appreciation for the opportunities that come with a liberal arts education. 

Ansley has taught courses in: English Rhetoric/Composition, Creative Writing, World Literature, College Reading, and of course, FYC and other first-year experience classes. She has presented at regional and national conferences on research related to academic advising, student-athlete success, and academic support. Examples of workshops Ansley has conducted include: working with creative projects, utilizing course-embedded tutors/support, and facilitating a first-year course with consideration for integrated support structures. She received the Excellence in Teaching Award (Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Humanities Division), an Outstanding Educator Award (University of Chicago, as nominated by one of her high school students), and most recently Centre College’s own Partner in Student Life Award.