Staff Council recently had the honor of welcoming University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about the university’s mission, progress, and future. Among the longest-serving leaders across the Big Ten, President Wilson provided insight into the university’s continued momentum and the critical role staff play in that success.

Anchored in Mission

President Wilson emphasized that the University of Iowa’s core mission remains steadfast: education, research, and scholarship. Supporting this mission are essential operations such as athletics, healthcare, housing and dining, utilities, and business services. Every decision, she noted, ultimately ties back to strengthening the academic mission.

A key focus in recent years has been improving efficiency, ensuring resources are directed to academics while empowering staff to contribute in new and meaningful ways. These efforts are helping shape a stronger, more responsive institution.

Investing in Student Success

A highlight of President Wilson’s remarks was the university’s remarkable progress in student retention. The University of Iowa recently achieved a 90.9% first-year retention rate, surpassing its five-year goal in just three years. Retention is a strong predictor of graduation, making this milestone especially significant.

This success reflects a deep institutional commitment to students, including curriculum redesign, robust peer support programs, proactive advising, metacognitive coaching, career integration initiatives, and the First Gen Hawks Program.

These efforts position UI as a national leader. Among similar universities, Iowa stands out as one of only three AAU research-intensive institutions that combine broad access (accepting over 80% of applicants) with retention of at least 90% of first-year students. As President Wilson summarized, “we are excellent, and our doors are wide open, and we’re going to ensure success.”

Serving Iowans Across the State

President Wilson underscored how the university’s impact extends far beyond campus. University of Iowa graduates play a critical role in the state’s healthcare workforce. The university also provides vital services statewide:

• The State Hygienic Laboratory performs newborn screenings.
• The Tippie MBA program educates employees from over 700 Iowa-based companies.
• The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health helps K–12 educators manage mental health challenges in the classroom.
• Simulation in Motion–Iowa (SIM-IA) provides training for emergency medical staff and volunteers across the state.
• The Iowa Cancer Registry team plans to travel to all 99 counties to provide data and recommendations regarding cancer prevention and treatment.

These programs demonstrate the university’s commitment to improving the health, education, and well-being of Iowans.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Efficiency

President Wilson shared several forward-looking initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s financial and operational health. The reSPARC program is examining opportunities to increase revenue while reducing expenses.

Other initiatives include the use of campus facilities during academic breaks, building new corporate partnerships, modernizing retirement plans, eliminating leases, and piloting batch microtransactions to automate processes and reduce manual work.

Together, these efforts aim to enhance sustainability while freeing up resources to support the core mission.

A Fireside Chat with President Wilson

During a candid fireside chat, President Wilson reflected on what she considers two of the university’s greatest accomplishments under her leadership: student retention improvements and the success of an historic fundraising campaign that will raise $3 billion.

When asked how she maintains her energy and well-being, she shared simple but meaningful practices, such as daily exercise, including walks with her husband and dog, and spending time with family and friends.

She also offered guidance for Staff Council members: Continue serving as ambassadors for the University of Iowa, sharing our story and advocating for the incredible work happening here, especially with those outside the Iowa City community. President Wilson expressed appreciation for the volunteerism of councilors, highlighting how their service reflects the spirit of “Iowa Nice” across campus.

In a rapid Q&A, President Wilson shared some of her favorite UI highlights, including the Pentacrest as a must-see destination, the beloved Wave at Kinnick Stadium, and walking along the river to recharge. She also shared a powerful story demonstrating the impact of everyday kindness. A faculty member once helped a new family during move-in weekend, taking time to guide them to a favorite restaurant. Years later, that small act inspired the family to establish a scholarship in the professor’s name. It was, as President Wilson noted, a reminder of the “power of kindness in small moments” and a reflection of the welcoming culture that defines the University of Iowa.

President Wilson’s visit reaffirmed the essential role staff play in advancing the university’s mission. Through our work, our outreach, and our advocacy, we help ensure that the University of Iowa continues to deliver on its promise: excellence, access, and success for students and for the state of Iowa.