SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg University’s 14th president — and first female to fill the school’s top post — officially kicks off her tenure this week.

Laurie M. Joyner, previously vice president for planning and dean of the college at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., arrived at Wittenberg last week and started her first official day Monday.

“I’m hitting the ground listening and learning,” she said Monday morning in her Recitation Hall office. “I think it’s really important for every new leader to try to really understand the place before coming in and making pronouncements or proclamations or trying to implement change.”

Joyner will spend the coming weeks working with senior staff and the board of directors at retreats to discuss institutional priorities and the future of the 167-year-old liberal arts college.

The university’s board has already provided some goals and directives, she said.

“We have some general institutional priorities that are starting to emerge from these conversations,” Joyner said.

Joyner aims to develop strategies to incorporate best practices across every discipline at the college and create a sustainable financial model to secure Wittenberg’s future.

She also plans to work with faculty to examine academic programs to ensure quality and relevance.

“That’s one of those ongoing goals because it’s the core of the enterprise, so to speak,” she said.

Joyner also wants Wittenberg’s relationship with the Springfield community to serve as a model for other schools like it.

“What I love about that is through those experiences, our students, our faculty and our staff deepen their learning but they’re also helping to meet real community needs,” she said.

A native of New Orleans, Joyner replaced outgoing President Mark Erickson, who left to become president of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or megan.gildow@coxinc.com.