Dr. Ben Hancock, the new president of Methodist University, took some time recently to talk with Up & Coming Weekly about his new role and his vision for the university.

UCW: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you coming from and why you consider Methodist University a good fit for you?

Hancock: In terms of my personal background, I consider myself a dedicated husband and father, and I have been blessed with a wonderful family. We are very close and do many things together, even though our children are all adults and live in five different states. We have had some wonderful experiences that make for great stories around the dinner table during our many family gatherings. I am also a first generation college student, so I can identify with students and families who are also entering the higher education community for the first time. Methodist has a great opportunity to deliver on an educational promise to these individuals and help them realize their personal and professional goals. There are several primary reasons for my excitement about joining Methodist University and the Fayetteville community. First and foremost, since my very first visit this past fall, I have been overwhelmed by the people — both on campus and in the community. There is not only a tremendous sense of pride in what has been accomplished and the many assets available, but also a drive to continue to improve and provide the very best education possible to students within a caring environment. Our university theme of “Engage, Enrich and Empower” says it best. Finally, I firmly believe in Methodist’s mission and believe this is an exceptional time in the university’s history to join the community and move Methodist forward. There has been a successful track record in recent years, including a record enrollment this past fall, but everyone believes there is so much more we can do for current and future students to help them shape lives of meaning and purpose.

UCW: What are your goals for the university?

Hancock: My short-terms goals are to learn as much about the university and greater Fayetteville community as I can, and the best way to do that is to meet people and engage them in the life of Methodist University. I look forward to visiting with alumni, volunteers and community leaders to secure their input as we plan for the future of the university. We have recently approved a five-year strategic plan, so my other immediate goal will be to make sure that we are on track with reaching the annual targets that were set forth in that plan by the university leadership and approved by the trustees. In the long-term, we need to make sure we are continuing to meet the needs of our current and future students, and that can only be done by looking at additional initiatives in partnership with our on-campus community as well as the external community. “Collaboration, imagination, innovation and operation” will be the four keys to our success in these endeavors.

UCW: What do you see as your biggest challenges at Methodist?

Hancock: The greatest opportunity is to do a better job of telling Methodist’s story. We have so many positive things to share about our growth in facilities, programs and enrollment. There is a commitment to excellence at the university that is a part of everything we do, and we have such quality people from the exceptional board of trustees and other volunteer leaders to every faculty and staff member on the campus. All of this sets the stage at Methodist for us to believe enthusiastically that “the best is yet to be.” As we tell the Methodist story and as we develop more partners in the community, we will set a course to enlarge the University’s footprint and imprint. We need to serve a wider geographic area as well as develop innovative programs to meet the needs here in Cumberland County, whether they be first generation students, adult students or members of the military community and their families who would benefit immensely by making Methodist their university home. In terms of impact, we have the nationally recognized programs and faculty to enable these individuals to meet their educational goals and achieve success in employment and graduate and professional school.

UCW: What do you want Fayetteville to know about you/your plans while you are here?

Hancock: My plans for Methodist will grow out of a collaborative process with the internal and external community. There has never been a great university without a great community, and I also believe that the greatest communities have exceptional universities. National surveys ranking the “best places to live” consistently place university communities at the top of the list, and this is not by accident. It is based on the collective assets that both parties provide to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community. I also want Fayetteville to know that Methodist extends an invitation to visit our campus. If you have not visited us lately, you are in for a treat. In just the last few years there has been the addition of a new visual arts building, two new buildings for the P.A. program, and a new residence hall along with other improvements. And plans call for a new building for the nursing program and four new residence halls that will open this coming fall. But what you will most notice during your visit is not the facilities, but the warm hospitality each visitor receives. Methodist is a community resource and we will provide many more opportunities for community members to visit the campus and become engaged in the life of the University.