Planning for Iowa's Future
The University of Iowa is building on its position of financial strength with reSPARC, a new strategic plan initiative to explore long-term strategies for increasing revenue and improving operational efficiency.
This effort brings together nearly 100 faculty, staff, and campus leaders from across the university to ensure Iowa maintains its strong financial trajectory for years to come. By acting now, we can be proactive in navigating the changing landscape of higher education and thoughtful about how we want to shape our future.
How the Process Works
Working in collaborative teams, reSPARC members will develop innovative proposals focused on generating new revenue and managing university resources wisely. These ideas will be reviewed by reSPARC committee leaders before being advanced to the president and provost for final evaluation and potential implementation. Progress and updates will be shared with the campus community regularly.
Revenue Teams
Corporate Sponsorship and Philanthropy
Led by:
- Angela Greenwald, vice president, UI Center for Advancement
- Liz Tovar, director of strategic partnerships, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and senior associate athletics director, University of Iowa Athletics
New Academic Programs - Traditional and Online
Led by:
- Ana Rodriguez-Rodriguez, associate dean for academic affairs and graduate student success, Graduate College
- Tanya Uden-Holman, associate provost for undergraduate education, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and dean, University College
- Ali Yildirim, chief marketing officer, Office of Strategic Communication
Other Programming
Led by:
- Emily Campbell, associate vice president for operations and decision support, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- Andre Perry, executive director of Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts and Engagement
Student Enrollment Mix
Led by:
- Brent Gage, associate vice president for enrollment management and strategy, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- Ali Yildirim, chief marketing officer, Office of Strategic Communication
Student Retention
Led by:
- Mirra Anson, assistant vice president for student success, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- Angie Reams, associate vice president and dean of students, Division of Student Life
Efficiencies Teams
Academics
Led by:
- Cornelia Lang, associate dean for undergraduate education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Barry Thomas, associate provost for faculty, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Financial Operations
Led by:
- Terry Johnson, chief financial officer and treasurer, Finance and Operations
- Edith Parker, dean, College of Public Health
Human Resources
Led by:
- Cheryl Reardon, chief human resources officer and associate vice president, University Human Resources
- Sara Sanders, dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Information Technology
Led by:
- Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and chief information officer, ITS
- Clark Stanford, dean, College of Dentistry
Marketing and Communications
Led by:
- Amy Kristof-Brown, dean, Tippie College of Business
- Pete Matthes, vice president for external relations, Office of the President
Other Opportunities
Led by:
- Gerry Clancy, senior associate dean for external affairs, UIHC
- Sarah Hansen, vice president for student life, Division of Student Life
- Jill Kolesar, dean, College of Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the university launching this now?
The University of Iowa is in a strong financial position today, thanks to disciplined choices and strategic investments. However, the higher education landscape is shifting rapidly due to challenges such as financial constraints, rising costs, and an anticipated “demographic enrollment cliff”. reSPARC allows Iowa to proactively plan for the future—rather than respond to crisis—by identifying ways to enhance revenue and manage resources wisely.
Does the term “operational efficiency” mean this is a plan for immediate budget cuts or layoffs?
No. This initiative is a proactive planning effort, not a response to a budget crisis. The goal of exploring "operational efficiency" is to find ways to work smarter, improve processes, reduce administrative burdens, and better leverage our collective resources and technology. The focus is on making the university stronger and more sustainable for the long term, which in turn supports our employees and our academic mission.
How does reSPARC relate to the strategic plan?
reSPARC is an extension of the Strategic Plan Action and Resource Committee (SPARC) and aligns directly with the goals of the 2022–2027 Strategic Plan. reSPARC is a specific, action-oriented initiative designed to help achieve goals related to the university's long-term financial outlook. It builds on the collaborative framework already established by the SPARC and puts that framework into action on the key topics of revenue and efficiency.
Who is involved in reSPARC?
Nearly 100 individuals, including faculty, staff, and campus leaders, from 35 different units are part of the reSPARC initiative. This broad representation ensures that a wide range of perspectives and expertise from across the university is included in the process.
What happens to the ideas the reSPARC teams generate?
The teams are tasked with developing proposals based on their research and discussions. These proposals will be shared with reSPARC's leadership for review to ensure they align with the university's strategic goals. From there, proposals will be advanced to the president and provost for a final evaluation and a decision on potential implementation.
How can I stay informed about reSPARC's progress?
The strategic plan website will serve as the central source of information for the reSPARC initiative. As teams make progress and key milestones are reached, updates will be shared here and through other campus communication channels like Iowa Now.