Stephen Greiner has been president of West Liberty University for less than a month, but he's already identified ways the college can improve.
"We need to work within ourselves and with partners in the community," he said.
As colleges across the state and nation grapple with reduced funding and increasing pressure to keep tuition costs low, university officials need to work together to overcome challenges, Greiner said.
"With declines in state support, there's no surprise universities raise tuition to balance their budgets," Greiner said. "We have to be more creative."
For Greiner, that'll involve the difficult task of balancing the university's budget while allocating more money for scholarships.
"When I look and see that 93 percent of our students have some form of financial aid, that shows me we have a great need," he said.
While he hasn't set enrollment or fundraising benchmarks yet, Greiner said he is focusing on making connections for the university, forming partnerships with other colleges and area businesses and courting alumni and donors.
He expects that work to pay dividends.
By forming connections, Greiner hopes to drum up support for the university. He said he is determined to reconnect alumni with the university.
With more scholarship funds available, more students will be able to attend West Liberty and complete their education, he said.
More graduates improves the university and the state, he said, adding that he is confident a focus on education can help rebound West Virginia's economy.
Greiner also said he plans to meet with business and other college leaders to foster new partnerships.
"I want to ask what their needs are," he said.
West Liberty's Board of Governors hired Greiner in October to replace former President Robin Capehart, who resigned last year. The Weirton native has been a university official for 14 years and has 40 years of higher education experience.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.