Indiana University’s 19th president is energized at the opportunity to lead the major multicampus institution – the first woman to do so – and has fit right in since taking the post in July.

The conversation with Dr. Pamela Whitten reflected on her journey and shared her top priorities for IU – one of which is a renewed emphasis to lift up the state.

Of the latter, she says: “It’s important that we prepare our students as the workforce for a number of things that our Indiana communities may need both today and then as that evolves in the future. … We have a key responsibility to really be in front of those issues and work with partners inside and outside the state to advance our economy.”

Other topics include her expertise in telemedicine, what’s near and dear to her heart and a growing partnership with Purdue University President Mitch Daniels.