URBANDALE, Iowa — After nearly seven years as president, Mike Richards is stepping away from the Iowa Board of Regents.
Richards announced Tuesday he would step down as president of the Board, effective immediately. However, Richards will remain a Board member until April 30, at which time he plans to resign his seat.
“Serving as a member of the Board has been a true honor and privilege,” Richards said in a statement. “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."
Members of the Iowa Board of Regents are appointed by the governor and serve six-year terms. Gov. Terry Branstad first appointed Richards to the Board of Regents in 2016, and Gov. Kim Reynolds re-appointed him in 2021, meaning his resignation comes three years before his term is set to expire.
While Board members must be appointed, Richards was elected as president of the Board of Regents by his peers in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
In a press release, Richards said he made the early announcement to provide a "smooth transition in leadership" and give Reynolds time to name a suitable replacement.
In the meantime, President Pro Tem Sherry Bates will serve as the Interim Board President until a new leadership election is held.
“I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished over the past seven years," Richard said in his statement. "Our public universities are among the finest in the nation, and I have enjoyed the collaborative relationship to find ways to continue to improve."