After working with him at the University of Maryland, College Park, Gregory Geoffroy’s colleagues said he is ready to become the next president of Iowa State.Ann Wylie, assistant provost and professor of geology at the University of Maryland, said Geoffroy, senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, is highly regarded at the institution.”He is an excellent administrator,” she said. “He is very well-organized, collaborative, goal-directed and listens to advice from everyone.”Geoffroy’s assistant, Joanna Schmeissner, said he has gained a reputation of trustworthiness since he came to Maryland in 1997.”He has an enormous trust placed in him and exhibits an honesty, a real fairness toward academic interests,” she said. “He’s so solid, so clear-thinking, and it generates an enormous confidence in his judgment.”With his strong business sense and his work with the strategic planning committee at Maryland, Wylie said the university has seen a significant amount of money contributed to the university because of Geoffroy’s efforts.”The University of Maryland has been very fortunate in receiving state funding, and he has used strategic, careful investing of the funds,” she said. “He is important to the advancement of this institution.”Schmeissner, who worked with Geoffroy on the planning committee, said his work in that area demonstrated his skill in uniting the people of that university.”He has the ability to focus on what was needed to move forward, on bringing the campus together,” she said.George Cathcart, director for University Communications at Maryland, also commented on Geoffroy’s ability to create unity.”He has great vision, he’s able to mobilize people and get them working together toward a common goal,” he said. If chosen, Geoffroy is well-prepared to be the next resident of the Knoll, Wylie said.

“I think he would be a marvelous president,” she said. “He is a highly regarded person of impeccable character. Being a leader at a large institution like Iowa State or University of Maryland requires a lot of diverse skills, and I believe he possesses those.”