Regents learn more about three-year degree options

In fall 2024, 75% of first-year Iowa State students arrived with at least some college credits, including 56% who had earned at least 20 credits -- nearly two semesters' worth. That's a big contributor to a rising three-year graduation rate (5.9% for the fall 2022 incoming class), associate provost Ann Marie VanDerZanden told the Iowa Board of Regents at its Nov. 12-13 meeting in Ames. VanDerZanden and her peers presented on accelerated pathways to a bachelor's degree at their respective universities.

Over last five years, the top ISU majors with early finishers have been agricultural business, agricultural studies, psychology, event management, and human development and family studies. She noted that some degree programs, often due to more complex curricula and accreditation or professional licensing requirements, put restraints on students' ability to finish in less than eight semesters.

VanDerZanden shared Iowa State's accelerated degree programs website, where programs with accelerated pathways are listed by college. Students with three-year-to-degree aspirations who arrive with college credits in their transcript should have that conversation early on with their academic advisor.

She said departments and admissions work together to promote the accelerated programs to interested students. One strategy to expand that is to work more closely with high school advisors so they're making sound recommendations while students are still in high school.

ISU alumna and regent Greta Rouse said offering three-year options is important for students who are place bound or raising a family and need to get through faster. But she noted it's not for everyone and said, "We wouldn't want to take away from all the great experiences they can have while they're on campus."

VanDerZanden concurred.

"Completing a degree in less than four years is important for some. Others want to take advantage of all the opportunities of a college experience [classes, study abroad, research, internships, working campus jobs for the experiences].

"The push to be done in three could present issues we haven't fully explored yet," she said.

Final regents meeting for Wintersteen

The November regents meeting was the last one Wendy Wintersteen attended as university president, and she finished her campus update by thanking board members for their dedication and service to higher education in Iowa.

"As a president, I see the countless hours, energy and effort that every regent provides for this voluntary service," said an emotional Wintersteen. "All of us in Iowa owe each of you a very sincere thanks for your deep commitment to this very important duty. My very deep thanks to each and every one of you."

The regents presented her with a resolution of gratitude for her "expertise, dedication and extraordinary service to the board of regents, Iowa State University, its students and families, and all Iowans."

Iowa State items, in brief

In other Iowa State business, the regents:

• Approved David Spalding's two-month appointment (Jan. 3-March 1, 2026) as interim university president. Spalding retired as Business dean in June but continues to serve as vice president for economic development and industry relations.
• Approved professional development assignments for 35 ISU faculty for the year July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. The roster features 14 tenured faculty, 20 tenure-track faculty and one term faculty member.
• Approved housing ($8,000/month) and vehicle ($1,500/month) allowances for incoming president David Cook. This gives the university time to consider renovation options and raise funds for The Knoll. The estimate for renovating the building (stripping to bare walls and rebuilding) as a modern executive residence was 18-24 months and a cost of $6.5 million. Senior vice president for operations and finance Sean Reeder said the university will continue to hold the president's public and entertainment events at the Knoll while assessing other university space needs that could be met there.
• Authorized board staff to update and distribute the regents' biennial free speech survey to all faculty, staff and students during January and February 2026 and report to the free speech and student affairs committee at its February meeting.
• Accepted a report on the merits of a tuition guarantee program (PDF), in which students pay the same tuition rate for up to three years equal to their first year. Mandated by the 2025 Iowa Legislature, in April board president Sherry Bates appointed former regent David Barker and regent Chris Hensley to lead a tuition study group. The report is due to Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature by Nov. 30. Generally, it acknowledges benefits to enrollment and student retention, and financial stability challenges to universities.
• Granted permission for planning to begin on phase one of a new food production facility for ISU Dining to replace the Knapp Storms commons facility. Estimated to cost $20.5 million to $23 million, it would house a central bakery and kitchen to support all facets of ISU Dining: residential dining centers, retail markets, cafes and catering.
• Granted permission to begin planning an estimated $20 million to $22 million renovation of the natatorium portion of State Gym. Following a recent assessment of the pool area, the work would require state building code compliance upgrades, mechanical systems replacement and remediation of the building envelope (walls, roof and windows).
• Approved a five-year lease, with a five-year extension, of the Alumni Center to the ISU Foundation for $0. The foundation will maintain the building and pay utilities.
• Approved a 52-year lease of 29 acres at 601 State Ave. to the city of Ames for $1 for a new city fire station to replace No. 2 in campustown.
• Approved a 10-year lease (with extensions to 30 years) of 12,500 square feet of building space at the BioCentury Research Farm to the ISU Research Park for use by BioMADE (BioIndustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem) for $1.