Kevin Saunders has returned to Iowa State to serve as executive director of institutional research, joining the team on Nov. 18. He previously spent 15 years in several roles in the provost's office at Drake University.
Iowa State's president-designate, David Cook, said he is focused on maximizing the university's land-grant mission and developing students who can fill Iowa needs.
In addition to meetings with faculty, staff, students, administrators and other stakeholders, each finalist will hold an open forum (4-5 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall) as part of their visit.
Following virtual interviews with eight semifinalists Oct. 20-21, the Iowa State Presidential Search Committee recommended four candidates for the next phase of the search: a daylong visit to campus the week of Nov. 3 and an interview with the Iowa Board of Regents on Nov. 11.
Alumnus Kevin Saunders has been named executive director of Institutional Research, effective Nov. 18. Saunders has served for more than 15 years as director of institutional research and assessment at Drake University and co-coordinator of accreditation.
At the conclusion of an Oct. 6 closed-session meeting to evaluate applications, the Iowa State Presidential Search Committee announced it will interview eight semifinalists in the search for the university's next leader. The position attracted 78 applicants.
Jeff Johnson, who took a temporary medical leave of absence in March, this week shared his decision to retire from his position as Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and chief executive officer of the ISU Alumni Association.
The search for Iowa State's next president will begin in late July, with the goal of selecting a president as part of the Iowa Board of Regents' regular November meeting.
The committee tasked with identifying a successor to President Wendy Wintersteen will meet for the first time Tuesday morning in Beardshear Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Iowa Board of Regents website.
Regent JC Risewick and Faculty Senate president Meghan Gillette will co-chair the 12-member committee. Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search will assist with the search.
