The Iowa Board of Regents met Thursday for the third and final time this month, closing out its November schedule with updates on university operations, leadership transitions and institutional efficiency efforts.

Remarks from President Wintersteen 

Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen outlined Iowa State’s strategic focus on efficiency and effectiveness: 

• “One IT”: Aligning information technology services across campus 
• Centralized structures for Finance and Human Resources, in conjunction with Workday 
• Colleges and Academic Unit Savings and Efficiencies 
• Saving Student Money 
• Administrative Efficiency Peer Comparison 

“We are focused on efficiency and effectiveness every day at Iowa State University,” Wintersteen said.

Wintersteen also presented on administrative efficiency compared to peer institutions. This highlights the administrative spending levels and Iowa State’s position relative to its peers.

“We spend eleven cents on administration for every dollar spent on instruction,” Wintersteen said. “So we are directing our resources where they matter most.”

Wintersteen thanked the Iowa Board of Regents as she prepares to retire in January.

“As I begin my ninth year as president of Iowa State, I want to thank you, as the members of the Board of Regents,” Wintersteen said. “I want to thank you for your extraordinary dedication, and the service of public education and the success of Iowa’s three public universities. As a president, I see the countless hours, energy and effort that every regent provides for this voluntary service. All of us in Iowa owe each of you a very sincere thanks for your deep commitment for this very important duty.” 

On behalf of the board, President Sherry Bates read comments to recognize Wintersteen’s retirement. 

“Now therefore be it resolved, that the Iowa Board of Regents expresses its deep gratitude to President Wintersteen for her expertise, dedication and her extraordinary service to the Board of Regents, Iowa State University, its students and families and all Iowans,” Bates said.

Interim ISU president 

The Regents considered David Spalding to serve as interim president of Iowa State. He will begin the position effective Jan. 3, 2026, and continuing until March 1, 2026. He will have an annual salary of $600,000.

The motion was approved.

The next meeting of the Iowa Board of Regents is scheduled for Feb. 25-26, 2026, at the University of Iowa.