Iowa State University is entering the final phase of its search for a new president, with three candidates scheduled for on-campus visits and public forums next week. The Iowa Board of Regents confirmed that the finalists will be in Ames from November 4 to November 6, marking a critical step in a months-long selection process.
The university community and the public will have their first opportunity to meet the candidates, whose identities will be revealed 24 hours prior to their respective visits. The selection process will conclude with a final decision from the Board of Regents on November 11.
Key Takeaways
- Three finalists for the Iowa State University presidency will visit the Ames campus next week.
- Public forums are scheduled for November 4, 5, and 6, from 4-5 p.m. each day.
- The identity and curriculum vitae of each finalist will be released 24 hours before their campus visit.
- The Iowa Board of Regents plans to announce the new president on the evening of November 11.
The Finalists Take Center Stage
The search for Iowa State University's next leader has narrowed from a large pool of applicants to just three individuals. These finalists accepted invitations to visit the campus after being recommended by the ISU Presidential Search Committee. This stage of the process is designed to introduce the candidates to the university's various stakeholders.
Each finalist will participate in a series of meetings with faculty, staff, students, and community members. A key component of their visit will be a public open forum, providing an opportunity for direct engagement and questions from the public. The forums are scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on November 4, 5, and 6 in the Memorial Union’s Durham Great Hall.
To ensure broad access, the university will also livestream each forum on the Iowa Board of Regents’ official website. This transparency is a crucial element in modern university leadership searches, allowing alumni and state residents to participate remotely.
A Rigorous Selection Process
The journey to select a new president began with a substantial pool of nearly 80 candidates. The ISU Presidential Search Committee, tasked with vetting the applicants, first narrowed the field to eight semifinalists. From that group, they recommended four finalists to the Board of Regents, three of whom accepted the invitation for campus visits.
Path to the Final Decision
The confidentiality of the candidates has been maintained throughout the initial stages of the search, a common practice in high-level academic recruitment to protect the professional standing of applicants who may currently hold prominent positions elsewhere. However, that confidentiality will soon be lifted.
The university has committed to releasing the name and curriculum vitae (CV) of each finalist on its website 24 hours before their scheduled arrival in Ames. This will give the campus community and the public time to review the candidate's professional background, academic achievements, and leadership experience before the open forums.
- November 4-6: Finalist campus visits and public forums.
- November 11 (Day): The Board of Regents will interview the finalists in a closed session.
- November 11 (Evening): The new president is scheduled to be announced at approximately 6 p.m.
After the campus visits are concluded, the process moves swiftly to its conclusion. On November 11, the Board of Regents will convene to conduct final interviews. These interviews will be held in a closed session. The board will also consult with the co-chairs of the search committee, Regent JC Risewick and ISU Faculty Senate President Meghan Gillette, to gather their final impressions and feedback from the campus visits.
Leadership and Expectations
The selection of a university president is one of the most significant decisions for an institution of higher learning. The new leader will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for Iowa State, overseeing its academic and research enterprises, managing a complex budget, and serving as the public face of the university.
The Role of the Search Committee
The ISU Presidential Search Committee played a pivotal role in identifying and vetting qualified candidates. Co-chaired by a member of the Board of Regents and the president of the Faculty Senate, the committee comprises a diverse group representing faculty, staff, students, and alumni. This structure is intended to ensure that the priorities of the entire university community are considered during the search.
In previous statements, both co-chairs expressed satisfaction with the quality and depth of the candidate pool. They highlighted the strong interest from highly qualified individuals across the country, signaling Iowa State's strong reputation in the academic world. Their work culminated in the recommendation of the finalists who will now face public and board scrutiny.
"We were impressed with the candidate pool for the position and are excited to bring the finalists to campus," the committee co-chairs noted in earlier communications regarding the search process.
The final decision rests solely with the Iowa Board of Regents, which governs the state's public universities. The board's choice will be based on the finalists' qualifications, their performance during the interviews, and the feedback gathered from the campus community. The announcement on November 11 will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Iowa State University, as it prepares to welcome its next leader.
