(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State University Presidential Search committee met for the first time today (Tuesday) as it starts the process of replacing Wendy Wintersteen when she retires. The committee discussed confidentiality and the leader of the search firm, Rod McDavis, says it is important before and after the process.  “Afterward, whatever we have talked about should stay with the with the search process, and never be discussed publicly or privately well into the future,” he says. McDavis says they will start the process with listening sessions to get input on what students, faculty, staff and others want in a new president. “Listening sessions will be held in the next few weeks and we want to launch the search if we possibly can by July 23rd,”McDavis says.

Members of the Iowa Board of Regents spoke with the managing principal of the search firm selected to help find a replacement for ISU President Wendy Wintersteen. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

McDavis says they will reach out to a variety of different candidates and will set a cutoff for applications in late September. “This is when we will say the candidates that if they are serious about the position and really want to be considered, we’re encouraging them,” he says. “We will encourage them to have their application submitted. September the 19th.” McDavis says the committee will then weed out the candidates to get to finalists. “The number of semifinals interviews and then after those interviews, your finalists will be identified. Those finalists will be scheduled for campus visits November the 3rd through the 7th,” he says.

The names of the finalists will be released once their visit to campus is scheduled. McDavis says the goal is for the Board of Regents to chose the president-elect at the board meetings on November 11th through the 13th. Wintersteen plans to retire in January.