Presidential initiative sets sights on high-impact faculty hires

Iowa State is using $1.5 million in state appropriations to support the hiring of new tenured or tenure-track faculty in areas of high impact to the university and state of Iowa.

The President's High Impact Hires Initiative will provide matching funds to help the colleges hire new faculty to meet teaching needs due to high enrollment, conduct research that benefits Iowa's economy and provide service to the state through ISU's 99-county Extension and Outreach program.

Faculty hired through the initiative also will support President Steven Leath's goal to hire 200 new faculty in three years.

"This is an investment in the future of our university and state," Leath said. "Greater support from the Iowa Legislature allows us to strategically grow Iowa State's faculty in ways that address our immediate needs on campus, as well as areas critical to Iowa's future."

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be submitted through the college deans and evaluated competitively by the provost's office, based on six criteria:

  • Increased teaching capacity in high enrollment programs
  • Increased teaching or research capability in areas critical to Iowa's economic future, such as the biological sciences, agriculture, physical sciences and engineering
  • Collaboration to recruit faculty with joint appointments across departments or colleges and Extension and Outreach
  • Interdisciplinary reach, such as biorenewables or the intersection of the arts and humanities with technology
  • Experience or expertise in innovative pedagogy, including the use of technology to enhance learning
  • Research, teaching, outreach and service that contribute to Iowa State's diversity mission, including access to education among underrepresented groups, and scholarship focusing on underserved populations

Successful proposals will be announced in October, and recruitment will begin immediately.

Questions regarding the High Impact Hires Initiative may be directed to college deans or the provost's office.