"It's a challenge:" Dr. Michael Lovell eager to lead as president at Marquette University

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Marquette University celebrates the inauguration of its 24th president this week. He is Dr. Michael Lovell -- and FOX6's Krystle Kacner got the opportunity on Tuesday, September 16th, to talk with him one-on-one.

Dr. Lovell's taking over as Marquette's president is historic. Instead of a Jesuit priest, Lovell is the first lay person to lead the university. Before coming to Marquette, he spent the past four years as chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"There's a lot of things we are looking at improving going forward. We are going to look at enrollments, we're going to look to see what is the rate and the size of our campus," said Dr. Lovell. "We have some programs where we have some really good applicants, we just don't have enough space for it, so a way we can expand things such as in our health sciences and nursing, engineering."

Dr. Lovell has already made some changes at Marquette. Those changes include the hiring of a new basketball coach and athletic director.

"For me, it been one of the great things about coming in on board when I did, it's a challenge. But it's also an opportunity to hire a new set of leaders on campus," said Dr. Lovell.

Dr. Lovell says he knows there will be plenty of challenges and opportunities going forward.

"There's pride for this university that's really unique. And again that goes to the fact that Marquette is a special place and I want people to feel that I am part of that community," said Dr. Lovell.

Hear more from Lovell just below -- we have featured an extended portion of his interview with FOX6's Krystle Kacner.