ISU presidential finalists detail experience, qualifications

Kumble Subbaswamy, the second finalist for the Iowa State University presidency to meet with state regents today, said impecable integrity, a high level of analytical ability and humility are the characteristics that have made him successful.

But running a complex research university is something that no one does alone, Subbaswamy, 60, said.

"It is always teamwork," he said. "I'm really proud to say that I'm well liked everywhere that I have worked. Not everyone gets what they want. But still, in the way I do it, make these difficult decisions, in the way I communicate them, that's what makes me seem congenial and not adversarial. It earns me the respect of even those who didn't get the outcome they want."

Subbaswamy is provost at the University of Kentucky. The regents interviewed him this afternoon in Ames, after meeting with the other finalist, Steven Leath, this morning. The board hopes to announce a decision around 4 p.m. today.

A native of India who came to the United States when he was 20 years old because he dreamed of a career in research, Subbaswamy said his personal story is that of an immigrant thriving in this land of opportunity. That's why the service element of leading a public research university with a land grant mission like Iowa State is so appealing to him, he said.

"I start with my passion, which is really to see education and research in the service of society," he said. "The idea of commercialization and economic development based on the research that the taxpayers have paid for is something that's near and dear to my heart."

He has held faculty positions, department leadership roles, dean and provost jobs at other universities. Subbaswamy said he's worked in capacities to support university presidents in the past, and he knows how to craft a message to reach each of those audiences. His experience in various major aspects of a land grant research university includes fundraising, external and economic development areas and athletics oversight, he said.

His demonstrated record of improving student success in past positions makes ISU's emphasis on the student-centered experience important to him, Subbaswamy said.

Iowa State is well-positioned to be the model land grant university of the future, with strengths in agriculture and engineering, and possibilities for more bioeconomy initiatives and public-private partnerships, Subbaswamy said.

"Its ambitious goals are quite similar to the way I think about things," he said. "I like high ambition."

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Earlier Tuesday, state regents asked the first of two Iowa State University presidential finalists about his fundraising experience, his leadership style and how he would best integrate ISU's work into improving the state.

Steven Leath, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill vice president for research, interviewed with the state Board of Regents this morning in Ames after his campus interview and visit last week. The regents will meet with the other finalist, University of Kentucky Provost Kumble Subbaswamy, this afternoon.

The board hopes to name the new ISU president at the end of the day. The new leader will succeed Gregory Geoffroy, who will retire next summer after 10 years as president.

Leath said setting priorities and increasing accountability is key now that higher education is no longer the land of unlimited resources. Iowa State's priorities must be driven by the demands and the needs of Iowa citizens more than ever before, while also remaining student-focused, Leath said during the 30-minute open portion of his interview with the board.

He would be a faculty leader who understands and supports all faculty and types of scholarship, Leath said. He emphasized that his strengths are in building relationships, which translates into strong fundraising.

"I'm people-oriented and I build relationships well," he said. "(Fundraising) is not about asking for money. This is about relationships."

ISU has had strong leadership in the past 10 years with Geoffroy, Leath said, so "there's nothing broken here." But Leath said he sees Iowa State striving for bigger and better things. He wants to build solid relationships beyond the Iowa borders and enhance the university's reputation and strengthen its base.

"Iowa State is poised for something great, and I want to be a part of that," Leath said. "Most people think too small."

ISU innovates and transfers results in a modest, understated way, Leath said, and he wants to be the university champion and tell its story.

"Iowa State needs to be a bigger engine of economic success" by multiplying its efforts, Leath said. "The campus can't be successful if it's not serving the state."

Empowering good people to do their jobs, working as a team, communicating effectively and emphasizing transparency are all important in his leadership style, Leath said.

Leath spoke of his land-grant university background, with three degrees from three land-grant schools, and his past experience at universities in the Midwest.