Iowa State University presidential candidate Benjamin Houlton, Ph.D., spoke at an open forum Wednesday at the Memorial Union.
During the forum, Houlton first introduced himself, his experience and his values to the audience of students, faculty, staff and community members.
Houlton is currently the Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University and a professor in the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and of Global Development.
He has received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in water chemistry, a Master of Science in environmental engineering science from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. from Princeton University in ecology and evolutionary biology.
In his presentation, Houlton brought attention to the areas of strength at ISU and the pillars he would like to focus on if he were to be chosen as ISU’s next president.
“We are in an era where AI is transforming society,” Houlton said. “We want to make sure we are leading that not only here in Iowa and as a nation, but in the world. We need a deeply people-centered approach to AI… there are risks and rewards, and we want to identify those.”
Houlton shared his vision for ISU and building upon its legacy to create a campus that listens, learns and communicates as a community.
“Our students are the most important thing that we do at an institution – educating our students and giving them a balanced set of viewpoints,” Houlton said. “My vision is an institution that’s afraid of no ideas… no idea should be too scary for us to address. No viewpoint should be too scary for us to evaluate.”
He also believes in broadening ISU’s partnerships to forge even stronger connections that benefit the university, partners and the community.
“I’m for uncommon partnerships for the common good,” Houlton said. “I believe strongly in continuing to connect on an international scale with partners who are like-minded that continue to bring opportunities for our growers and producers right here to Iowa.”
Houlton talked about the value system he would bring to leadership and his approach: listening, humility, gratitude and transparency.
“I’m a transparent leader,” Houlton said. “I’m a leader who wants to explain every process that I use to come to a decision. I’ve learned through some mistakes that it’s critical to bring people into the decision-making process early and often to cultivate a collaborative community.”
Sharing about his personal life, Houlton spoke about his family and reflected on his dairy farming roots in the Midwest.
“[I was] born and raised in Wisconsin,” Houlton said. “As my dad said, you can take the kid out of the Midwest, but you can’t take the Midwest out of the kid.”
Houlton expressed enthusiasm for the ISU community.
“I am so excited to be here with you and to be a part of Cyclone Nation,” Houlton said.
The second finalist will speak from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday in the Durham Great Hall at the Memorial Union.
