November 11-12, 2026 Meeting Recap
The Iowa Board of Regents met November 11-12, 2026 at the Iowa State University Alumni Center. Selected items discussed are outlined below.
Center for Intellectual Freedom Director VIDEO
The Board appointed Brian Lai to serve as the center’s permanent director. Lai, associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Iowa, will start November 13, 2026.
UNI Presidential Search VIDEO
The Board authorized the Board Office to begin the search for UNI President Mark Nook’s successor. Last month Nook announced his intent to retire at the end of this academic year. The Board Office has been authorized to begin work on selecting a search firm, establishing a search committee and creating a timetable and process for the search.
More on the UNI Presidential search
Response to US Department of Education Call to Action VIDEO
The Board approved a response to US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon's national call to action. The call seeks to have each higher education institution in the nation publicly affirm its commitment to teaching, research and service
Fall Enrollment Report VIDEO
Board Associate Chief Academic Officer Jason Pontius presented the annual fall enrollment report. Pontius reported that undergraduate enrollment grew to 57,651, the highest total since 2019. These numbers were buoyed by a 10.3% increase in first-year undergraduates at UNI.
Economic Development and Technology Transfer Report VIDEO
The accepted the annual Economic Development and Technology Transfer report. Board Senior Communications Director Josh Lehman introduced Jon Darsee, UI Chief Innovation Officer, David Spalding, ISU VP for Economic Development and Industry Relations, and Drew Conrad, Director of Business and Community Services at UNI, to present economic development activities on their respective campuses.
Investment and Finance Committee VIDEO
The committee received the quarterly investment report from Marquette representatives Dave Smith and Doug Oest. The committee also received the annual comprehensive fiscal report and a financial institutions update. Board Chief Efficiency Officer Jake Nicholson presented an update on the REAPS initiative.
More on the Comprehensive Fiscal Report
Free Speech and Student Affairs Committee VIDEO
The committee received an update on UNI’s First Amendment training protocols. The committee also received the annual Campus Safety and Security Reports from campus law enforcement representatives.
Academic Affairs Committee VIDEO
The committee approved numerous program terminations, including many which represent a restructuring of Iowa State’s physics department. Additionally, the committee approved UI proposals to award honorary degrees to renowned musician and UI alum Simon Estes and hydrologist Dana Kolpin.
Property and Facilities Committee VIDEO
The committee approved capital registers from the three universities that included the College of Pharmacy and Biology Building projects at UI, ISU’s dining support center project and UNI’s Redeker dining center improvements. In addition, the committee approved the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory’s request to name its new Innovation and Discovery Laboratory the “Ada Hayden Laboratory,” in honor of Dr. Hayden’s contributions to botany, prairie conservation and the study of Iowa’s natural history
Faculty Presentation VIDEO
ISU SVP and Provost Jason Keith presented Infusing AI Across the University to the Board.
Governance, Evaluation and HR Committee VIDEO
The committee approved personnel appointments, including the appointments of Billi Hunt as ISU VP for External Relations and Jered Benko as VP and Jamie and Ellen Pollard Endowed Director of Athletics
UI Health Care Committee VIDEO
The committee received the UIHC presentation from VP for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Carver College of Medicine Denise Jamieson, Associate VP of UI Health Care and UIHC CEO Bradley Haws, and Associate VP for Finance and UIHC CFO Mark Henrichs. The Board passed a resolution naming the existing UIHC adult Hospital in honor of Richard O. Jacobson and his philanthropic legacy.
Audit and Compliance Committee VIDEO
Board Chief Audit Executive Chad Sharp presented internal audits.