The search for the next president of Iowa State University has unexpectedly narrowed after one of the three finalists withdrew from consideration. The Iowa Board of Regents confirmed the development on Friday, leaving two candidates in the running to succeed current President Wendy Wintersteen, who is set to retire in January.
The withdrawal alters the final stages of a comprehensive selection process that began with a pool of nearly 80 applicants. The remaining two candidates are scheduled for public forums on the Ames campus next week, where they will present their vision for the university's future to students, faculty, and the broader community.
Key Takeaways
- One of three finalists for the Iowa State University presidency has withdrawn from the process.
- Two candidates remain and will participate in public forums on November 5 and 6.
- The Iowa Board of Regents plans to announce the new president on the evening of November 11.
- The search is to find a successor for President Wendy Wintersteen, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
The Search Process Intensifies
The journey to find Iowa State's next leader has been a meticulous one. An initial pool of almost 80 candidates was carefully vetted by the ISU Presidential Search Committee. This group was then reduced to eight semifinalists who underwent virtual interviews.
From those eight, the committee selected four individuals as finalists. However, only three accepted the invitation to advance to the final round, which includes on-campus visits and public engagement. The recent withdrawal now focuses the spotlight entirely on the two remaining contenders.
A Rigorous Selection Protocol
University presidential searches are complex, multi-stage processes designed to identify leaders capable of managing large, multifaceted institutions. They typically involve a search committee composed of regents, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The goal is to balance academic vision, fundraising capability, and administrative expertise.
The identities of the finalists are being kept confidential until 24 hours before their respective campus visits, a common practice in high-level academic searches to protect the candidates' current professional positions. This policy ensures that candidates can participate in the process without jeopardizing their existing roles unless they are in the final stage of consideration.
Next Steps: Public Forums and Final Interviews
The final phase of the selection process will be highly public. The remaining two candidates are scheduled for open forums, providing a critical opportunity for the university community to interact with them directly. These sessions are a cornerstone of modern university leadership searches, promoting transparency and community buy-in.
Forum Schedule and Access
The public forums are scheduled for 4-5 p.m. on November 5 and 6. They will be held in the Durham Great Hall of the Memorial Union on the Ames campus. Recognizing the importance of broad participation, the university will also provide a livestream of the events for those unable to attend in person.
During these forums, candidates will likely discuss their leadership philosophy, their perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education, and their specific vision for Iowa State University. The question-and-answer portion allows stakeholders to probe into areas of specific concern, from student life and academic research to budget management and diversity initiatives.
From 80 to 2
The search for Iowa State University's next president has been a process of significant narrowing:
- Initial Pool: Nearly 80 applicants
- Semifinalists: 8 candidates interviewed virtually
- Finalists Selected: 4 candidates chosen by the committee
- Finalists Advancing: 3 accepted campus visit invitations
- Remaining Candidates: 2 after one withdrawal
The Board of Regents' Final Decision
Following the public forums, the process will move behind closed doors. The Iowa Board of Regents will convene on November 11 to conduct final interviews with the candidates. During this meeting, the board will also receive a formal report from the search committee co-chairs, Regent JC Risewick and ISU Faculty Senate President Meghan Gillette.
The co-chairs will summarize the committee's findings and provide insights gathered throughout the extensive search. This report, combined with the regents' own impressions from the interviews, will form the basis for the final selection.
The board's decision is expected to be announced on the evening of November 11, bringing the months-long search to a conclusion.
The chosen candidate will step into the role following the retirement of President Wendy Wintersteen. Wintersteen, who has served as the university's 16th president, announced her planned departure earlier this year, capping a long and distinguished career at Iowa State. Her successor will be tasked with navigating the evolving landscape of public higher education, including challenges related to funding, enrollment, and the role of research universities in the 21st century.
As the final two candidates prepare for their public debut, the Iowa State community awaits the chance to meet the potential new leader who will guide the institution into its next chapter.
