Ivy Tech Community College's president-elect, Thomas Snyder, said he's used to people asking him why he would want to be a college president when his background is in marketing and technology.
That question, though, didn't seem to be on the minds of community leaders, who welcomed Snyder at a reception Tuesday at Marion City Hall.
"Ivy Tech is a great partner of ours," Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold said.
He said he had a good relationship with Ivy Tech's outgoing president, Gerald Lamkin, and looked forward to a positive relationship with Snyder.
"I just think Ivy Tech's a great thing," said Mike Roorbach, Marion Community Schools board member.
Roorbach said he likes the concept of a college that trains adults. He said the college is good for the community and helps Marion Community Schools focus on its grade levels, relieving them from the pressure of educating local adults.
Jeff Southworth, an Ivy Tech trustee, said he thinks Snyder will help move Ivy Tech's regions closer together.
"He's going to, I think, truly convert it to a statewide college," he said.
Wal-Mart distribution center's Assistant General Manager Phillip McIlrath said that though the business is new to the community, he thinks it's important to get involved with the community college.
McIlrath said he wants to bridge the gap between the distribution center and the college and encourage graduates to work at the distribution center to keep people in Grant County.
Snyder said he wants to address the college's image and find ways to tell people what Ivy Tech is and what it can do for communities.
His other major goal is to work on a plan for the college's future.
"Our dropout rates around the state are a concern," Snyder said.
He said he's worried students dropping out won't be as attractive to employers, but he's also concerned about a drain of work force talent.
Snyder said his experiences in work and community service have helped prepare him for his role as Ivy Tech president because they involved talking to people.
He also said he wants to educate more Hoosiers.
"There are a lot of us in Indiana who are fortunate enough to have the gift of education, and we have to spread it around," he said.
Snyder's office will be in Indianapolis, but he said he plans to make visits to all 23 campuses as often as he can. He already has visited 21 of the college's campus.
Snyder will be Ivy Tech's 10th president. He officially starts July 1.
His wife, Bobbette Snyder, is executive director of the Leadership Academy of Madison County. They have four children.