Second finalist announced in search for ISU president

Mallory Prescott, Academics Editor

November 5, 2025

Headshot of Iowa State University presidential candidate David Cook. Photo courtesy of Inside Iowa State.

The Iowa Board of Regents has named David Cook, Ph.D., as the second finalist in the search for the next president of Iowa State University.

Cook, an alumnus of Iowa State and current president of North Dakota State University, is scheduled to visit campus Thursday.

Cook received his Bachelor of Science in political science and speech communication from Iowa State. He later received a Master of Arts in organizational communication, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in organizational communication, from the University of Kansas.

During his visit, he will meet with faculty, staff, students and members of the community. He will also participate in a public open forum from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Durham Great Hall in the Memorial Union; the event will also be livestreamed on the Board’s website.

The Board of Regents narrowed its choice from an original field of nearly 80 applicants, with help from a presidential search committee.

Following the campus forums, the Board of Regents will convene in a closed session on Nov. 11 to interview the finalists and make selections. The new president is expected to assume the role in January 2026, coinciding with the retirement of current President Wendy Wintersteen.

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