Hundreds of students are currently enrolled at Pikeville College, but new president Paul Patton wants more.

The former governor is launching a campaign to recruit students.

The goal: To get more college-educated people in the mountains.

To help, he hired Belfry Middle School Principal James Hurley as the new vice-president at the college.

James Hurley is an eastern Kentucky native, a Pikeville College Alumnus, and he spent his career working in county school systems.

Because of this combination, Patton felt like Hurley was the best person to recruit teenagers to Pikeville College.

Nearly 700 students go to Pikeville College, but new President Paul Patton says he wants to hit one thousand. He hired James Hurley to accomplish the goal.

“Obviously, I'm excited to work for Governor Patton. He has a great vision,” Hurley said.

Hurley is a graduate of the school with an extensive background in education.

He's worked in three of the state's largest districts, Jefferson, Bullitt, and Pike Counties.

Patton feels Hurley's connections to many superintendents, principals, and teachers can help recruit students to Pikeville College.

“Mr. Hurley is very enthusiastic. He knows the region; he knows this school, and he has a great passion for young people. I think he can communicate with them a little bit better than I can, he may be a little bit different generation than I am,” Patton said.

“I feel like I have a pretty good grasp where our students are, what their needs are, and hopefully we can meet those needs and demands,” Hurley said.

Hurley says he decided to leave Belfry Middle for his new job because he believes increasing the number of college-educated people will improve the region.

“We want to make sure we are training our students for success and giving them an opportunity to succeed,” Hurley said.

He and former Governor Patton are already working on plans to get more students on campus.

The Pike County Superintendent says the Belfry Middle Assistant Principal will serve as interim principal.

The search for a new principal will start soon.

They hope to have a new principal hired this school year.