DES MOINES, Iowa — The president of Iowa State University, Wendy Wintersteen, is planning to retire at the beginning of next year.

The announcement was made on Friday morning. Wintersteen will retire in January of 2026. Her latest contract had been set to expire at the end of June in 2026.

In the news release posted to Iowa State’s website, Wintersteen said, “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.” 

Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates praised President Wintersteen’s steady guidance over the years.

“Under President Wintersteen’s leadership, Iowa State’s reputation has soared, particularly in research growth, student outcomes and an emphasis on innovation. With her steady guidance, Iowa State has met and overcome many external challenges, including a derecho, an international pandemic and more. The state of Iowa has been blessed to have an accomplished leader like Wendy Wintersteen leading this great land-grant university,” said Bates.

Wintersteen was named president of the university in October of 2017 after a six-month nationwide search. She was the first woman named to head Iowa State when she became the university’s 16th president.

She succeeded Steven Leath, who was Iowa State’s president from 2012 to 2017 and left to take the same job at Auburn University.

Wintersteen was the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State before taking on the job of president. She has a Ph. D. in Entomology from Iowa State and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in crop protection at Kansas State University.