As E. Gordon Gee prepares to step down from his role as president of West Virginia University, the state’s flagship institution welcomes a new leader with a clear, fresh perspective. Michael T. Benson isn’t aiming to mimic the legacy of his predecessor. Instead, he brings his own identity and approach, ready to guide WVU into its next chapter.
Benson’s leadership style is thoughtful and forward-looking. He isn’t trying to wear Gordon Gee’s iconic bow ties — both literally and figuratively. Rather than focusing on filling Gee’s shoes, Benson is focused on charting his own path, one that honors the past but is centered on building a stronger future.
Described as intelligent, curious, personable, and empathetic, Benson is well aware of the challenges that come with leading a major university. But he also sees great potential — not just for WVU but for the entire state of West Virginia. His mission is to make the university a welcoming place for all students while strengthening its role in creating a skilled, job-ready workforce.
A key element of Benson’s vision is ensuring that every student, no matter their background, feels at home at WVU. He wants to ensure students are not only educated but also prepared for real-world success.
His goal is to make sure students are walking into a job just as they are walking out of the classroom. That’s a refreshing and practical mindset — especially in an age when families are more concerned than ever about the return on their educational investment.
Benson believes strongly in supporting both students and their families. He has even made personal phone calls to parents of students who were accepted but had not yet paid their deposits — a small but powerful example of his commitment to engagement and follow-through.
For Benson, it’s about more than just academics. It’s about helping students achieve economic stability and a meaningful future. He wants to expand programs that already succeed in placing students into jobs and extend them across more departments to maximize post-graduate employment outcomes.
The symbolism surrounding leadership at WVU is also shifting. Gordon Gee’s bow ties became a beloved icon on campus, even inspiring cookies shaped in their honor. When asked what cookie might represent him, Benson humbly suggested the Mountaineer — a nod to WVU’s roots and his focus on community over individual recognition.
His message is clear: this isn’t just about one person or one president. It’s about progress. It’s about being a partner to students, families, and the state.
“We’re in the beginning,” Benson said. “We are kind of in the beginning processes of a strategic plan that I think is gonna be really exciting, that’s gonna chart a very, very bold path forward for us.”
Early impressions suggest Benson is already making strong headway. With students, faculty, alumni, and West Virginians watching with hope, there’s growing confidence that under Benson’s leadership, WVU’s path forward will be bold, inclusive, and built on a foundation of both tradition and transformation
