Pat Long, Baker University's new president, center, greets prospective students on the Baker campus, including Whitney Kamish, Glenwood, Iowa, left, and Katie Bornholdt, Inman. Long has been on campus for three weeks preparing for her first year at Baker. Long replaces Daniel Lambert, who retired.

She’s still learning her way around Baker University, but new President Pat Long already knows what’s on her to-do list.

Improvements to residential life. Enrollment increases. Better space for the sciences.

“I think we have a strong history, but we also want to move forward,” she said.

Long, in her first official weeks in the position, toured her new environs Monday, asking questions and meeting students.

The theme to her presidency is “forward together,” she said. She wants progress, but she wants everyone to be a part of it.

“We’re going to take a good look at where we’ve been and collectively set a vision for the future,” she said. “I’m a listener. I really do want to hear from people.”

Long is Baker’s first female president. The former deputy chancellor for university communications at the University of Missouri-Kansas City replaces longtime Baker president Daniel Lambert.

From left Wes Mickel, a Baker University junior, working on a summer internship in marketing, Patrick Lattin, the editor of the Baker Orange student newspaper and Dr. Pat Long, Baker University's new president take a tour of the campus. Long has been on campus for three weeks preparing for her first year at Baker. Long replaces Dr. Dan Lamber who retired.

The Baker community is warming up to Long – who is assuming her first university presidency.

“She’s very warm and inviting,” said Jenny Hall, Baker junior. “She’s not intimidating at all.”

Annette Galluzzi, Baker’s vice president for marketing, called Long’s leadership style “comfortable.”

“You can tell she just loves being around people,” Galluzzi said. “She’s very professional, but in the same way casual. … She has such a different style (compared to Lambert) that you don’t compare.”

The Baker community has already picked a moniker for her: Dr. Pat.

“They started that during the interview process and later asked if that was OK,” Long said. “I said it’s certainly OK.”

Long braved Monday’s high temperatures to tour the grounds, stopping at Osborne Chapel and the Eugene C. Pulliam Memorial Room, named after the famed newspaperman who attended Baker Academy.

Long said there is room for enrollment growth. The Baldwin campus has about 950 students. That could grow to 1,000, she said. And graduate, professional and doctoral programs can be added or improved to meet students’ needs.

She said there’s also a need to address the residential life of Baker’s students, perhaps by expanding housing facilities. And the university needs to address the growing science needs in the state, also possibly with new building space.