Craig Bailey's history with technical institutes has now come full circle.

"If it wasn't for a technical institute like this, I wouldn't be here today," said Bailey, who became the new president of Western Dakota Technical Institute on Monday. He replaces Dr. Rich Gross, who left the school in May after five years as president.

Bailey intends to continue the institute's mission to send more students into the work force where they are most needed. With a shortage of workers in the manufacturing and health care fields, it is important for the institute to work closely with local businesses to help graduate more skilled workers, he said.

Rick Gray, vice president of the institute, has been filling in for Gross the past three months and said school officials are looking for creative ways to increase capacity at the school that is limited in resources, faculty and space.

"Several programs are maxed out with current capacity," Gray said. "We have to look at alternative resources and alternative methods to educate students."

For instance, he said, students are sometimes able to do more training at the workplace instead of an academic classroom.

He said Bailey's 25 years of experience in manufacturing and university teaching will be good for new ideas.

Bailey grew up in rural Minnesota, milking cows and doing farm chores. After his high school graduation, Bailey knew he wasn't ready to go serve in Vietnam, but also wasn't ready for a four-year school.

"I would have washed out of a traditional four-year college," he said. "A technical institute was the perfect fit for me."

Bailey took that beginning and went on to continue his education while working full time for Grayco, and he eventually earned his doctor of education degree at University of South Dakota in 2008.

In 1994, Bailey moved his family to Rapid City. He and his wife, Natalie, have five grown children.

He is most eager to share his story with local high school students or people considering an education at WDTI.

"I want to open up in their mind that they've got some options out there," he said.

After only three days on the job, Bailey feels like he fits right in with the staff and the mission of the institute.

"I'm eager and excited, and I just feel at home."

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or Kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com