The Strategic Plan Action and Resource Committee (SPARC) will create and carry out a fluid implementation of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan that builds upon a library of tactics that were collected during the plan development phase.
SPARC is also the institutional manager of the P3 program.  

Strategic Plan Charge

SPARC members will be assigned accountability in specific areas based on their expertise to ensure strategies are implemented that support the strategic plan’s objectives and goals. The team will engage with subject-matter experts and convene working groups that include those who work directly with students, faculty, and staff to: 

  • Further develop, add to, prioritize, and carry out critical tactics 

  • Identify resources needed to carry out the activities 

  • Develop a timeline and indicators of progress 

  • Review, and revise as needed, the implementation plan to reflect new challenges and opportunities

P3 Charge

SPARC will: 

  • solicit campuswide proposals to compete in the P3 Program funding process;
  • vet and recommend allocation of funds to support strategic initiatives to the provost and president; 
  • review P3 proposal advancement towards project goals and evaluate impact on institutional goals and metrics;
  • report to campus leadership groups regarding funding and project progression as well as communicate to campus at key intervals; and
  • consult with content area experts as needed.

Membership

Members of SPARC include:

  • Kevin Kregel (Chair), executive vice president and provost, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Nicholas Benson, executive director, Office of Community Engagement, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Karen Butler, chief of staff, Office of the Vice President for Medical Affairs  
  • Emily Campbell, associate vice president for operations and decision support, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost  
  • Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and CIO, Information Technology Services  
  • Brent Gage, associate vice president for enrollment management and strategy, Enrollment Management, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Lois Geist, associate provost for faculty, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Edward Gillan, professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Faculty Senate Past-President
  • Sarah Hansen, vice president for student life, Division of Student Life 
  • Wayne Jacobson, director, Office of Assessment, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Denise Jamieson, vice president for medical affairs, and dean, Carver College of Medicine 
  • Rod Lehnertz, senior vice president for finance and operations, Office of Finance and Operations 
  • Peter Matthes, vice president for external relations and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President 
  • Lynette Marshall, president and CEO, UI Center for Advancement 
  • Laura McLeran, associate vice president for administrative affairs and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President  
  • Edith Parker (P3 Program Coordinator for SPARC), dean, College of Public Health 
  • Cheryl Reardon, chief human resources officer and associate vice president, University Human Resources 
  • Sara Sanders, dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 
  • Clark Stanford, dean, College of Dentistry 
  • Amanda Haertling Thein, associate provost for graduate and professional education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and dean, Graduate College 
  • Elizabeth Tovar, executive officer and associate vice president, Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Tanya Uden-Holman, associate provost for undergraduate education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and dean, University College 

Support Team: 

  • Kathryn Andrews, sr. executive assistant to the provost, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Mirra Anson, director, Student Academic Success and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Paige Busick, administrative services manager, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Kim Carter, executive administrative assistant, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Mara Cheney, assessment and evaluation manager, Office the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Kyle Hughes, director of communications, Office the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Jayme Johnson Strike, administrative services specialist, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost  
  • Charlie Taylor, chief of staff and director of communications, Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 
  • Michael Weaver, associate director of operations, Office of the Vice President for Research 
  • Kristina Yows, associate director for administration and planning, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost 

SPARC Work Groups

Brain Science and Mental Health

Led by:

  • Sarah Hansen, vice president for student life, Division of Student Life
  • Ted Abel, director, Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Cancer Research, Education, Impact, and Patient Care

Led by:

  • Edith Parker, dean, College of Public Health 
  • Mark Burkard, director, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Communications

Led by:

  • Peter Matthes, vice president for external relations and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President

Data Infrastructure

Led by:

  • Emily Campbell, associate vice president for operations and decision support, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost  

Employee Success

Led by:

  • Cheryl Reardon, chief human resources officer and associate vice president, University Human Resources

Faculty Success

Led by:

  • Lois Geist, associate provost for faculty, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Holistic Well-Being

Led by:

  • Laura McLeran, associate vice president for administrative affairs and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President

ITS

Led by:

  • Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and CIO, Information Technology Services 

Patient Care

Led by:

  • Karen Butler, chief of staff, Office of the Vice President for Medical Affairs

Research and Creative Discovery

Led by:

  • Edith Parker, dean, College of Public Health

Student Success-Teaching and Learning

Led by:

  • Tanya Uden-Holman, associate provost for undergraduate education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and dean, University College
  • Amanda Haertling Thein, associate provost for graduate and professional education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and dean, Graduate College

Transformative Societal Impact

Led by:

  • Laura McLeran, associate vice president for administrative affairs and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President
  • Peter Matthes, vice president for external relations and senior advisor to the president, Office of the President 
  • Nicholas Benson, executive director, Office of Community Engagement

Welcoming Environment

Led by:

  • Elizabeth Tovar, executive officer and associate vice president, Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity

Writing and Communication

Led by:

  • Amanda Haertling Thein, associate provost for graduate and professional education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and dean, Graduate College 
  • Melissa Tully, director, School of Journalism and Mass Communication