Position Description

President
The University of Iowa
Leadership Specification

THE LOCATION: Iowa City, Iowa
WEBSITE: www.uiowa.edu

THE ORGANIZATION

The University of Iowa is one of the nation’s major AAU research universities, boasting outstanding liberal arts and science programs on both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The University offers more than 100 majors, as well as seven professional degree programs.

The University of Iowa ranks highly on the list of America’s best colleges and universities:

• U.S. News & World Report lists The University of Iowa as the 25th best public university in the nation and includes 19 UI graduate programs on its “10 Best” lists. The UI Colleges of Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health are ranked in the top 10 of colleges at public universities.
• The 2006 Fiske Guide to Colleges calls The University of Iowa “A bargain compared to other Big Ten schools...world-famous in its creative writing program.”
• The University of Iowa ranks 9th in the nation in the number of Fulbright fellowships awarded to students.
• The University ranks 17th nationally for federal funding for research and development among public AAU members.
• UI faculty obtained $366.4 million in FY06 in external research funding.
• The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks the UI library system #14 among U.S public institutions. With more than four million volumes, the main library and eleven specialized libraries also hold over 200,000 rare books and 500 historical manuscripts.
• One of the nation’s largest university-owned teaching hospitals, UI Hospitals and Clinics have an annual budget of $754 million and a staff of 3,000. The system logs more than 850,000 clinic visits and 50,000 admissions each.
• A recent fundraising campaign ended successfully by exceeding the $1 billion mark, an unusual feat for a university of its size.

Established in 1847, The University of Iowa is a major center for undergraduate education, graduate and professional education, and scholarship. The University includes Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering, Dentistry, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, a Graduate College, and a Division of Continuing Education. Together these colleges constitute a leading research university in the United States and have gained accolades around the world. As the first U.S. public university admitting men and women on an equal basis and regardless of race, the University of Iowa is also home to the first College of Law west of the Mississippi River. The UI Writer’s Workshop and International Writing Program remain the most respected and competitive in the nation.

About 1,700 faculty teach the 30,000 students who enroll at the University each year, with one-third coming from outside of Iowa and more than 100 countries are represented on campus. The University of Iowa also employs around 13,000 staff. More than one million visitors come to campus each year to enjoy the Museum of Art, exhibits, cultural events, premier performances at Hancher Auditorium, and Big Ten athletics; or to seek treatment at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a major arm of the University.

Internationally renowned educational programs attract 2,300 international students and 900 international visiting scholars a year. Over 1000 UI students study abroad every year, and UI faculty teach over 250 courses on international topics and global issues.

Enjoying an annual operating budget of approximately $2.19 billion, the University has an outstanding record of attracting research funding.

The University of Iowa occupies 1,900 acres in Iowa City, along Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa. Greater Iowa City offers nearby countryside, excellent city and state parks and the Iowa River for recreation opportunities. Together with Iowa’s second-largest city, Cedar Rapids, the area surrounding the University is home to more than 200,000 residents. The Eastern Iowa Airport, comfortable neighborhoods, safe streets, vibrant culture, and a highly educated population consistently earn greater Iowa City distinction in national magazines as a highly rated “best-place-to-live.”

Iowa City maintains an outstanding public library, exceptional public schools, historic neighborhoods, a lively downtown and a casual, comfortable and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Chicago, St. Louis, and Minneapolis/St. Paul are within easy driving distance, and the nearby Eastern Iowa Airport connects travelers to the world.

THE POSITION

The President is the Chief Executive Officer of The University of Iowa. This person reports to a nine-member Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The President collaborates with the Regents and a wide range of internal and external constituencies to provide leadership and direction for University. The Regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate to serve six-year terms.

Duties and Responsibilities

As the champion of the University's interests, the President is the leading spokesperson for the institution with both internal and external constituencies including faculty, staff, students, the Board of Regents, the local community, alumni, government, the media and the general public.

The President also leads University fundraising efforts and spearheads initiatives for developing and attracting new financial resources from a variety of sources. The University of Iowa's recently completed capital campaign, which raised a record $1 billion plus, marks an extraordinary accomplishment for a university of its size. The new President will set the course for future fundraising campaigns that build on this success with the full support of a centralized University of Iowa Foundation. The President serves as an ex officio member of the Foundation Board.

The President directs an executive leadership team that includes: the Executive Vice President and Provost; the Senior Vice President and University Treasurer; the Vice President for Research; the Vice President for Student Services; the General Counsel; the Special Assistant for Equal Opportunity and Diversity; the Dean of the College of Medicine; the Directors of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University Relations, and Governmental Relations. The President also oversees the operations of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and its continued success within a challenging healthcare environment. A comprehensive, highly successful athletic program is also under the direct oversight of the President.

The President oversees the human and financial resources of the institution to ensure fiscal soundness and accountability, and is responsible for preparing and implementing a comprehensive and fiscally responsible university budget.

THE PERSON

Qualifications

The University of Iowa seeks an engaging and confident leader who fully understands, appreciates and fosters the unique contribution a major public university makes not only to its students and their futures, but also the community, the state, the nation and the world. The new President will need to articulate a compelling vision for the University that builds upon its strengths, addresses its challenges, and leads the institution forward in its entirety.

The President must be an inspiring leader who instills a passion for excellence among faculty, staff, and students in the three primary missions of the University, namely, education, research, and service to society. The candidate must have demonstrated a record of academic success and the administrative capacity to formulate a cohesive strategic vision for a complex institution, to communicate that vision effectively to a variety of diverse constituencies, and to successfully implement it.

More specifically, the next President of The University of Iowa should show commitment to the following areas:

Higher Education—He/she fully understands and is dedicated to the multifaceted mission of an internationally prominent public research university that has a strong commitment to high quality undergraduate education, has distinguished graduate and professional programs, operates a major teaching hospital and associated clinics, and is integral to the public educational system in the State of Iowa. He/she regards the institution’s role not only in education, but also in research and discovery, as an innovative resource for business and economic development in the region and the state, and as a venue that fosters creativity in all forms.

Advocacy and Outreach Skills—In addition, the President must be an effective advocate for the institution and its most articulate spokesperson, able to convey the value of the research and the creative academic work that takes place at the University as well as its unique institutional tradition and character.

Diversity—This person strongly values diversity and works for its promotion and enhancement within an organization. Evidence of successful results from his/her efforts will be critical.

Resource Development—The President must be a committed fundraiser who, working closely and diligently with the UI Foundation, can inspire alumni and others to support the University of Iowa. The President should persuade state officials to increase the public investment in this invaluable public resource and attract funding from federal sources and other major donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Board and System Relations—This person understands how to work within a state university system, developing strong relationships not only with the Regents and legislators but also with senior administrators at other institutions within the state system to work cooperatively.

Academic Freedom and Shared Governance—The President has a deep and abiding faith in the value of academic freedom and nurtures the traditions of sharing governance with faculty, staff and students.

The President of The University of Iowa will have an earned doctorate, advanced professional degree, or the equivalent, and a record that would qualify for a tenured appointment as Professor at the University. The President will also have an outstanding record of scholarly achievement coupled with a record of administrative experience at a senior level within a complex academic enterprise and an understanding and competence in successful business practices.

Desirable Competencies/Personal Characteristics

The next President of The University of Iowa will be a compelling and creative individual who fosters strong, collegial relationships with students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, Regents, state and local officials as well as with the community in which the University is located.

This person understands and can articulate the unique opportunities and diverse experiences a major state university offers all of its constituents. Thus, he/she should have a comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, cultural and political contexts in which the University serves the people of Iowa, as well as at the nation and the world. In addition, this person appreciates the importance of a university experience that develops students with a commitment to good citizenship and service to society.

He/she is excited about higher education and works to create and stimulate a creative and innovative environment where learning, teaching, research and scholarship flourish and complement one another. This individual must also fully understand the teaching, research, and patient care missions of the health sciences and the economic and policy environments in which they operate. A talented and persuasive advocate for the University, this person is also a talented listener who knows the value of feedback from all relevant sources.

This person is a successful leader who understands and values the UI teaching, research and creative contributions in the Arts and Humanities.

He/she should foster interdisciplinary research and understand the importance of bioscience in economic development.

He/she is a creative problem solver who resolves conflict in ways that build bridges among potentially competing interests and differing points of view. This person possesses exceptional integrity and values, exudes confidence, optimism and joy, and sets the highest example of professionalism, humaneness and caring.

He/she is an exceptional leader and mentor who can attract and retain outstanding administrators as well as faculty members and researchers.

In addition, this person understands and appreciates the role and history of intercollegiate athletics at University and the challenges inherent in providing intercollegiate athletic programs.

THE SEARCH PROCESS

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until a new President is selected. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be directed to:

University of Iowa Presidential Search Committee
David Johnsen, Chair
N308 DSB
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1010
david-johnsen@uiowa.edu

The University of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.