CARBONDALE - Although newly named as the next chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Rita Cheng has a clear idea of how she wants to manage the university.

Cheng, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 2005, will begin her duties as chancellor June 1, pending SIU Board of Trustees approval at its Dec. 10 meeting. While SIUC remains a state-supported university, it must look to more than state appropriations for funding.

"I think we can't solely rely on state support," Cheng said.

Cheng acknowledged SIUC's strong history with diversity but she added things do not stop at diversifying campus. The university must be sure that the students are welcomed and have a strong experience, Cheng said.

"Diversity is more complicated than numbers," Cheng said.

Cheng also stressed the importance of international recruitment. She said she developed partnerships with China at UWM, a strategy SIUC is undertaking now, as Chancellor Sam Goldman and other faculty and staff are in China to build partnerships with other universities.

Cheng said she also has a strong connection to Asia through her husband, Tom, who was born in Vietnam and raised in Hong Kong. She said she also visits the area from time to time.

Cheng said she has met with Goldman and they have talked about what is most important for the university. She said she hopes to spend individual and group time with faculty and staff to learn all she can about the university and find out how the university can boost enrollment throughout its colleges.

She said she also recognizes the importance of SIUC in the community. She said, like UWM, SIUC is a major employer and educator for the region and it is important for the chancellor to keep strong ties with the surrounding area.

"We are the anchor of the community," Cheng said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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