Presidents of University of Iowa, Iowa State University receive $50,000 salary increases

Kate Perez, Iowa City Press-Citizen
·2 min read
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The leaders of the University of Iowa and Iowa State University received $50,000 raises Thursday from the state Board of Regents.

Along with the salary increase, the regents voted to set up a deferred compensation plan for UI President Barbara Wilson beginning July 1 and finishing June 20, 2026, with annual contributions of $50,000. Wilson will receive the money put into the plan if she is still employed at the UI in 2026.

The pay raise brings her annual salary up from $600,000 to $650,000 a year. Wilson took over as president of the university last year.

More: Pioneering academic career shaped new UIowa president Barbara Wilson

University of Iowa President Barb Wilson speaks during a commencement ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson speaks during a commencement ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

The leaders of the other regent institutions received bonuses as well, some also having deferred compensation plans created for them:

  • Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen received a $50,000 salary increase along with a deferred compensation plan beginning July 1 and finishing June 30, 2024, with annual contributions of $40,000. Her salary is also increasing from $600,000 to $650,000.

  • University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook had a deferred compensation plan created beginning July 1 and finishing June 30, 2024, with annual contributions of $50,000

  • Board of Regents Executive Director Mark Braun received a $50,000 retention bonus along with a deferred compensation plan beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2024, with annual contributions of $130,000.

  • Superintendent of the Iowa School for Deaf Steve Gettel received a $20,000 performance incentive

Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen listens during an Iowa Board of Regents meeting, Thursday, April 18, 2019, in the Levitt Center on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen listens during an Iowa Board of Regents meeting, Thursday, April 18, 2019, in the Levitt Center on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.

More: The University of Iowa wants to raise retention and graduation rates. Here's its plan.

While the regents do not always choose to make salary and compensation changes, regent President Mike Richards expressed in the Thursday meeting that he was happy with the institutions' current leaders.

“We are very pleased with our university leadership and we are pleased with Superintendent Gettel’s service," Richards said. "“We want to continue with the same leadership team, and this is an indication of our willingness and interest in keeping a steady course as we go forward."

The salaries for Wilson and Wintersteen are in the mid-range compared with presidents of major universities in neighboring states. For example:

  • University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s salary is currently $618,278.

  • University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel's salary is currently $660,968.

  • University of Illinois President Tim Killeen’s salary is currently $851,700.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Presidents of University of Iowa, Iowa State get $50,000 salary bumps