Get To Know ULM's New President Nick Bruno - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

Get To Know ULM's New President Nick Bruno

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News)--It has been one week since the University of Louisiana System announced the selection of Nick Bruno as the President of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

The University of Louisiana Monroe is a familiar site for Bruno. Starting in 2002, Bruno worked with Former President James Cofer as ULM's Vice President of Business Affairs for three years.

Now, he's ready to step to the plate as the school's new leader.

"Just carrying this University into the future, that's my goal and to maintain the excellence it has developed over its past," says Bruno.

Bruno returns to ULM  following his work as Vice-President Of Finance for the University of Louisiana System. He plans to put his financial knowledge to work, to help students better understand their loan responsibilities.

"We need to do a good job counseling students that this is not free money, that it's for your education," says Bruno.

Bruno is optimistic that qualified students will have financial options. One of those options is a relationship with a two-year school. Bruno wants to work closely with our region's community colleges. Students could then get the first two years of their education at a lower cost.

"Make sure that ULM is very present, and that students there see ULM as their first choice to progress to the four year program."

Bruno is married with two daughters, two dogs and two cats. Bruno has a daughter who is almost college age, and says he has extra insight on college recruitment.

"What is a good piece of recruitment, what does a student look at or look for, so yes it does me a perspective on that," says Bruno.

The new president officially takes over leadership November 8. He's ready to move forward, and not dwell on the past.

"From my perspective, those things are gone and never happened and so it's time to move the university forward, and I'm going to do my best to do that," says Bruno.

Bruno says his first goal is to get re-familiarize himself with the area. He will start by attending the ULM homecoming game Saturday afternoon.