Bates to Leave Board of Regents; Rouse to Step Down as President Pro Tem

Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates announced today that she will be resigning from the Board effective December 4, 2025. Additionally, Board President Pro Tem Greta Rouse will be leaving that leadership position on the same date, but will remain a member of the Board through the end of her term in 2027.

The Board of Regents has called a special meeting for December 3, 2025 to hold new Board leadership elections for President and President Pro Tem. The agenda for the meeting can be found here.

“I have been fortunate enough to serve on the Board for nearly 11 years,” Bates said. “I want to thank both Governor Reynolds and Governor Branstad, who gave me a chance to serve our state. I have worked with so many outstanding fellow Regents, Board office and university staff, and we have accomplished so much together.

“It’s time for me to step back, spend more time with my family, and allow the next generation of Regent leadership to continue our good work. Iowa, Iowa State and UNI are among the best public universities in the country, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and excel."

“While I remain committed to serving on the Board, leadership requires an additional time commitment. With our children still young, I want to focus on my family. Iowa’s universities inspire the next generation, drive our economy, advance research, and enrich communities across the state. Stepping down from leadership will allow me to do that while continuing to support their important work,” Rouse said.

Bates was appointed to the Board on December 22, 2014, by Governor Branstad to fill the unexpired term of Nicole Carroll. She was reappointed by Governor Branstad on March 1, 2017, and reappointed again by Governor Reynolds on March 3, 2023. She was elected President Pro Tem of the Board on June 1, 2021, and re-elected in 2022. She became interim President on January 16, 2024, when Regent Michael Richards stepped down from that position, and was elected President on February 28, 2024. Her term on the Board was set to expire on April 30, 2029.

Rouse first served on the Board as a Regent (then known as Greta Johnson) from 2008-12, during her time as an undergraduate and graduate student. Almost 10 years after her time as a Regent ended, she was appointed by Governor Reynolds with her term beginning on May 1, 2021 and expiring in 2027. She was elected President Pro Tem on February 28, 2024.