By Clark Kauffman

Wendy Wintersteen, who has served as the president of Iowa State University for the past nine years, has announced her retirement, effective January 2026. Wintersteen, the first female and second alum to hold the university presidency at Iowa State, made her announcement on Friday.

Reflecting on her time at ISU, Wintersteen expressed, “I am fortunate to have served Iowa State University in many roles over the past 46 years, and it’s been a fascinating journey. I am truly proud of Iowa State’s extraordinary faculty and staff for their remarkable performance these past years. Perhaps most of all, I will miss the amazing energy, talent, and potential of our Iowa State students.”

Sherry Bates, President of the Iowa Board of Regents, remarked on Wintersteen’s leadership, saying, “Under President Wintersteen’s guidance, Iowa State’s reputation has soared, particularly in research growth, student outcomes, and an emphasis on innovation. With her steady leadership, Iowa State has navigated many external challenges, including a derecho, an international pandemic, and more.”

During her tenure, ISU saw the establishment of new and renovated facilities on campus, alongside the expansion of the ISU Research Park. Wintersteen is credited with enhancing support for research, with Iowa State now ranking in the top 3% of research universities without a human medical school. Over the last eight years, ISU received upwards of $4.2 billion in external funding, highlighted by three consecutive years of record-setting research contributions.

Notably, the first-year student retention rate has increased to 87.6%, outpacing the national average for four-year public institutions by 10.5 points. Additionally, students at ISU are graduating at an accelerated pace, with the average time to degree decreasing from 4.4 years in 2018 to a historic low of 4.12 years in 2024.

Wintersteen also excelled in fundraising, securing over $275 million for new and revitalized facilities, including the Student Innovation Center and the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building. The ISU Research Park experienced significant growth as well, with a 150-acre expansion and nearly 50 new tenants.

Wendy Wintersteen initiated her career at Iowa State as an extension field specialist in integrated pest management. After earning her doctorate in entomology, she became a professor and held various leadership roles, including an 11-year term as the inaugural endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, before being appointed president in 2017.

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