A 1981 graduate of USC's business school, Bragdon has served in several budgetary management positions since joining the University 20 years ago. Most recently, he was budget director for the Division of Student and Alumni Services and for the College of Engineering and Information Technology. He also served in the University's central budget office from 1989 to 1997.

Bragdon is responsible for planning, developing, and directing all activities related to the formulation and analysis of the Columbia and regional campus budgets. He also is responsible for developing budget policies, monitoring the budget, and developing multi-year budget models, and forecasting revenue and enrollment.