DES MOINES – The President of the Iowa Board of Regents is leaving the board entirely soon, he announced this week.
Iowa Board of Regents President Mike Richards (pictured above) announced January 16 that he is stepping down as President of the Board effective today. President Pro Tem Sherry Bates becomes interim Board President until a new leadership election is held at a future Board meeting. Richards will remain a Board member until April 30, 2024, at which time he will resign his seat.
“Serving as a member of the Board has been a true honor and privilege,” Richards said. “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.”
Richards was appointed to the Board in 2016 by Governor Branstad and re-appointed in 2021 by Governor Reynolds. He was elected the 22nd President of the Board in 2017 and has served in that capacity since, being re-elected in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
