NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Newly appointed Tennessee State University President Dwayne Tucker has a big challenge ahead of him.

He is seeking to solve the university’s major financial problems. They are facing a $39 million deficit, prompting him to implement a five-year plan which resulted in cuts to employees, programs and scholarships.

“Some people see challenges as a challenge, I see it as a opportunity,” Tucker said. “With that, enrollment has to go down then back up because we are not providing as many scholarships to freshmen, so that we can also be sustainable.”

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