Bradley University Director of Nursing Arrested on 10 Counts of Theft

Image: Dr. Shelley Hawkins Peoria County Jail

By: Kathleen Gaines

The top nursing administrator at Bradley University in Illinois is in hot water after being arrested on multiple counts of theft. Dr. Shelley Y. Hawkins, the department chair and director of nursing at Bradley is facing 10 counts of theft. Each count is listed as an allegation of theft, valued at less than $500, according to Peoria County Jail records. 

Peoria County Jail records indicate that Dr. Hawkins was arrested on February 21st and released on bond the same day. Her bail was set at $1,000 and she paid a $60 fine. In Illinois, thefts under $500 are considered a Class A misdemeanor. 

Shelley Hawkins's full jail record can be viewed here. 

At the time of publication, Dr. Hawkins is still actively employed by Bradley University and there is no statement from Bradley at this time. There is also no information regarding the alleged victims or items of the theft. 

Hawkins' Nursing Experience

Image: Shelley Hawkins, Bradley University 

Dr. Hawkins joined Bradley University in June 2022 after 35 years in nursing higher education. Prior to joining Bradley University, Dr. Hawkins was a Professor and Associate Dean at Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing, Dallas Center. Furthermore, she has worked at the University of Connecticut, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the University of San Diego, Yale University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Virginia, and Auburn University.

In 2007, Dr. Hawkins was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). In 2018, she was elected President of the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing (CCEN) of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Dr. Hawkins was appointed as the Director of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Leadership Mentoring Program in 2019 and continues to serve in that capacity. Recently, she was selected as a Fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Wharton Executive Leadership Program.

This is an ongoing news story and will be updated as additional information becomes available regarding the case and Dr. Hawkins's employment status. 

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Bradley University Director of Nursing Arrested on 10 Counts of Theft