In an effort to find the next president of Iowa State, a 21-person committee was recently announced with the goal of identifying finalists for the position.

Created at the April Board of Regents meeting, the Presidential Search and Screen Committee will be co-chaired by Dan Houston, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group, and Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of the Iowa State College of Design.

The group consists of eight Iowa State faculty members from a variety of colleges including sociology, chemical and agricultural engineering and veterinary medicine. Two student representatives from the ISU Alumni Association and ISU Foundation will be featured as contributors to the committee.

Board of Regents members Patty Crownie, Sherry Bates, Milt Dakovich and Nancy Boegetter also will serve as voting members on the committee.

When asked about the role of the committee in choosing the next president, Board of Regents Executive Director Robert Donley hopes the group will help fill a much-needed position.

“Selecting the next president of Iowa State University is important work that the selection committee takes very seriously,” Donley said.

Beginning in May, the selected search firm will be awarded a contract to begin finding candidates for the position. This month will also feature open forums throughout the community and campus to understand what is needed of the next Iowa State president.

August will serve as as one of the first deadlines for the committee as the best considered candidates will be announced, with semi-finalists being identified later in the month.

Slatted to take place between Sept. 25 and 29, the committee will conduct campus visits for the chosen finalists, and the public is urged to give feedback. In early October, the Board of Regents will meet to announce the president of Iowa State.

Beginning Monday, interviews were conducted with the search firm finalists based on executive summaries, which were submitted April 17.

When looking at possible presidents, Iowa State previously announced requirements of high inclusivity efforts, a diversity-first mindset and knowledge of Iowa State and its background.