Effective today, Iowa Board of Regents president Mike Richards announced he is stepping down from his role as president, but will remain a board member until April 30, 2024. President pro tem Sherry Bates will serve as interim president until a new leadership election is held.
“Serving as a member of the Board has been a true honor and privilege,” Mr. Richards said in a news release. “I want to publicly thank Governor Reynolds and Governor Branstad who gave me the opportunity to serve in this important role. I also want to thank all the Regents that I have served with, as well as the university presidents, and Board and university staff members that I have had the pleasure of working alongside.
“I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished over the past seven years. Our public universities are among the finest in the nation, and I have enjoyed the collaborative relationship to find ways to continue to improve. I am making this announcement now to allow for a smooth transition in leadership, and to hopefully give Governor Reynolds ample time to find and name my replacement.”
Gov. Branstad appointed Mr. Richards to the board in 2016, and was reappointed in 2021 by Gov. Reynolds. In 2017 he was elected as the board’s 22nd president and has served in that capacity since, being re-elected in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
