President Nook acknowledges higher education challenges during Board of Regents meeting
President Nook acknowledges higher education challenges during Board of Regents meeting
University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook expressed gratitude for faculty and staff during the Iowa Board of Regents meeting on April 24, recognizing their continued dedication to supporting students amid ongoing change in higher education.
Nook’s remarks came in response to Regent Christine Hensley, who commended the leaders at Iowa’s public universities for navigating the shifting dynamics.
“It may not always be exactly what you’re hoping for, but I feel very good about where you’re at and how you’re working and being nimble to help us through this time,” Hensley said.
Nook acknowledged the complexity of recent challenges, referencing executive orders and legislative changes as examples. “Some of them have challenged us a great deal,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of universities staying focused on the mission to support students. “I think that’s what’s helped the people on all of our campuses be able to deal with some of the challenges that we’ve faced and will continue to face for a while as this country wrestles with what is the future of higher education.”
The comments followed President Nook’s regular institutional update, delivered during the board’s meeting in Ames. His report highlighted the resilience of student organizations after COVID-19, the ribbon cutting of the Applied Engineering Building, the university’s vision for applied engineering, and recent successes of UNI Athletics both in competition and in the classroom.
He also recognized the recent naturalization ceremony held in Maucker Union, hosted by the newly approved UNI Center for Civic Education. “The University of Northern Iowa is helping to bring people to our community and help them feel comfortable in the United States and in our state,” he said.
Nook closed by emphasizing the vital role faculty and staff play in student success.
“We’ve got a good team on our campuses that are really committed to the students,” he said. “All of us … really appreciate what our faculty and staff do to support our students and to understand what’s going on and try to help move us forward.”
