Aiming to buck status quo, Iowa State not ready to advertise president position

AMES — On the eve of what was to be the public launch of Iowa State University’s search for its next president, a 12-member committee urged a rewrite and restructuring of the position description to prioritize candidate expectations — from traditional presidential qualities to outside-the-box attributes deemed imperative in a changing higher education world.

“The plan is to still publish this tomorrow?” committee member and ISU Professional and Scientific Council President-Elect Jennifer Schroeder asked, citing the copious suggestions and edits committee members had proposed to a draft leadership position description.

“I don’t see that happening,” said Janice Fitzgerald, senior executive consultant with AGB Search — which the Board of Regents hired to facilitate Iowa State’s search. “Especially with a rewrite.”

“We have the time to get it right,” board counsel Aimee Claeys said, promising to circle back to the committee with a revised position description before posting it publicly.

“We have an opportunity to reflect on the robust conversation,” she said. “We can work directly with AGB ASAP to incorporate all of this feedback, get the words right, and then we'll consult with the co-chairs and send it back out before it's ready for publication.”

Top attributes

Priorities committee members identified to top their list of leadership attributes included:

“You're going to attract some top candidates,” AGB CEO Roderick McDavis promised the search committee. “I mean, if we put a blank piece of paper with Iowa State University president on it, you're going to attract the right candidates.”

What the position description does, he said, is speak to Iowa State’s priorities.

“What you value, and what you believe is important for candidates to be able to understand about coming into this position, and what awaits them, and what you would like to see him or her do with their presidency,” McDavis.

Too status quo

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The first draft of the position description to replace outgoing President Wendy Wintersteen — who in May announced plans to retire in early 2026 — leads with its desire for a leader capable of advocating for Iowa State’s land-grant mission, “upholding the hallmarks of teaching, research, service, and extension.”

“The university expects leadership that will respect and promote ISU's direction through innovative solutions, educational experience, community engagement, and knowledge and discovery,” according to the draft description. “The new president will bring a holistic work ethic, authenticity, and integrity to the position while embracing the great history of the university and the city of Ames.”

But committee member and ISU alum Roger Underwood expressed concern the advertisement was too status quo and not forward-thinking enough.

“I think that we're going to need a president who's willing to call a lot tougher shots than presidents have had to call in the past,” said Underwood, who serves on the board of directors for Pivot Bio, a California-based ag-tech company. “And I don't know that this description sounds anything more different than one or two president job descriptions ago.”

Urging a stronger position description angling for a leader who can “look around the corner with 20-20 vision,” Underwood said Iowa State could land top-tier applicants inspired by its enterprising spirit.

“I wonder if there wouldn't be one or two or four candidates that might say, this is the job for me,” Underwood said. “I don't want to just go someplace where they're looking for another president.”

Pointing to the import of the position description, he stressed, “This is going to set a tone that we need to get just right by encouraging that person who's willing to challenge the future in a diplomatic way.”

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com