Western Michigan University’s next president says he wants to make it “an institution of choice.” Edward Montgomery says that means a university that students see as place to prepare for a career and for life.
He says Western should also be an attractive place to work for faculty and staff, and a university that businesses see as a good place to find employees.
Montgomery says there is much to learn as he prepares to become Western Michigan University’s next president. Montgomery says he has to meet with community members and learn about ideas people are working on.
“If you come in and you think you know it all, if you come in and think you can direct it all from the top, you’re going to be a failure”
The university’s board of trustees announced last month that Montgomery will replace John Dunn, who is retiring after a decade leading Western.
Montgomery is currently a Professor of Economics and Dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. In addition to a long career in higher education, he also held posts in the Clinton and Obama administrations.
Montgomery will become Western Michigan University’s ninth president on August first. He was interviewed for WMUK's News and Public Affairs program WestSouthwest. A longer version of this interview is scheduled to air on that program May 18th.