Drone view of central campus and Beardshear Hall on a fall evening.

The Search for Iowa State’s Next President

The Iowa Board of Regents is leading the search for the next president of Iowa State University. A 12-member search committee was appointed to identify finalists for the Board’s consideration. The committee is co-chaired by Regent JC Risewick and ISU Faculty Senate president Meghan Gillette.

Candidate Interviews

Interview Schedule

  • 7:15 a.m., President Wendy Wintersteen
  • 8:30 a.m., Senior University Leaders
  • 9:15 a.m., Additional ISU University Leaders
  • 10:15 a.m., Office of the President Staff
  • 11:30 a.m., Faculty Senate and Professional and Scientific Council Leaders
  • 12:30 p.m., Council of Deans
  • 1:30 p.m., Athletics and Research Park Leaders
  • 2:30 p.m., Student Government and Graduate and Professional Student Senate Leaders
  • 4 p.m., Open Forum (Durham Great Hall, Memorial Union)
  • 6 p.m., ISU Foundation Representatives

About the Finalists

Head and shoulders outdoor portrait of Benjamin Houlton.

Benjamin Houlton

Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Campus interview: Wednesday, Nov. 5

Head and shoulders portrait of David Cook.

David Cook

President, North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota

Campus interview: Thursday, Nov. 6

News and Updates

Building on a Land-Grant Legacy

The Iowa Board of Regents is leading the search for the next president of Iowa State University.

Chairs

  • Meghan Gillette, president, Faculty Senate, and associate teaching professor, human development and family studies
  • JC Risewick, member, Iowa Board of Regents

Committee Members

  • Muhammad Azhan, president, Graduate and Professional Student Senate
  • Colby Brandt, president, Student Government
  • Robert Cramer, member, Iowa Board of Regents
  • Tim Day, University Professor, biomedical sciences
  • Cara Heiden, ISU alumnus and retired co-president, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
  • Greta Rouse, president pro tem, Iowa Board of Regents
  • Patrick Schnable, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences, agronomy
  • Jennifer Schroeder, president-elect, Professional and Scientific Council, and Birch team supervisor, finance service delivery
  • Kurt Tjaden, member, Iowa Board of Regents
  • Roger Underwood, ISU alumnus and member of the board of directors, Pivot Bio

The Iowa Board of Regents is a group of nine citizens who govern three public higher educational institutions in the state through policymaking, coordination, and oversight, as provided by law. The Board's oversight is over Iowa's three public universities – the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.

About AGB Search

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AGB Search LLC offers executive search, interim search, and compensation evaluation services exclusively for higher education institutions. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010, the firm has a deep understanding of the qualifications critical for effective higher education leadership. Its affiliation with AGB ensures clients receive access to valued governance resources and training, in addition to our highly regarded search services.

AGB Search’s Executive Search Consultants have extensive experience in higher education search, and many have served in college and university leadership positions. The firm's team of Associates and Research Associates expertly manage the search and vetting process, and the AGB Search staff serves as critical support to the search professionals.

 

Graduates celebrate with streamers at the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.