Brien Lewis has held the top post at Catawba College for less than a year, but he’s already being touted as a leader who listens.

Since he stepped into the role as president in April, Lewis has made it a point to meet with faculty and staff members individually and invite students to his home for meet-and-greet events.

Lewis, a 45-year-old Morehead Scholar who was selected after a year-long nationwide search, plans to move the college forward by considering the feedback he gathers.

He’s already started to make small changes and says more are in the store for the future.

Lewis would like to see the college with a more diverse student body. Right now, 75 percent of students are from North Carolina.

He also wants to be sure students are learning the critical thinking and communication skills that they’ll need as they enter the work force.

— Sarah Campbell

Dream date?  A really good dinner, then a good movie or play.

If you won the lottery? I would make a transformational gift to Catawba College.

Favorite TV show? “Doctor Who”
Who should play you in a movie? Tom Hanks, if I got really lucky

Your last meal? Home-cooked dinner, then Chef Robert Irvine’s bread pudding for dessert

Who will you watch in 2013? Catawba alum and governor-elect Pat McCrory and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Your biggest challenge in 2013? Completing the strategic plan and campus master plan to prepare and position Catawba College for the next decade.

Your biggest hope for 2013? Completing the strategic plan and campus master plan to prepare and position Catawba College for the next decade

Reaction to making the list? Honored to know that the community is so interested in, and supportive of, Catawba College.