WORCESTER, Mass. - City Manager Eric Batista was officially sworn in at Worcester City Hall Friday, making history in the process.

Batista was born in Puerto Rico and becomes the first Latino to hold the city's top position. He joined the city manager's office in 2012 and had previously served as assistant city manager.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives are central to his mission and through conversations with community members, he said he's focusing on challenges including creating more affordable housing and working off of the city's racial equity audit.

Batista's goals also include making Worcester a safe, equitable workplace which promotes employee engagement and innovation.