President Cook named next leader of Iowa State University
Cook, who has served as NDSU’s president since 2022, will begin his leadership at Iowa State University on March 1.
NDSU President David Cook has been named the next president of Iowa State University, the Iowa Board of Regents announced today.
“This is a deeply personal decision, and one that Kate and I did not make lightly because of what NDSU has come to mean to us,” Cook said in a message to campus. “Our time here has been filled with extraordinary experiences and genuine connection.”
Cook, who has served as NDSU’s president since 2022, will begin his leadership at Iowa State University on March 1. Planning is already underway to ensure continuity in leadership, with an internal transition team guiding next steps. The State Board of Higher Education and North Dakota University System Commissioner will work in collaboration with campus leadership to name an interim president while a search is conducted.
"I extend my sincere appreciation to President Cook for his exemplary leadership and service to NDSU,” said North Dakota University System Commissioner Brent Sanford. "During his tenure, Cook fostered innovation, strengthened community and industry partnerships, and elevated the university’s profile across the region. His time at NDSU was marked not just by strategic progress, but by genuine care for the people who help the university thrive. His collaborative approach and dedication to higher education have left a meaningful legacy and we thank him for his contributions. NDUS will begin planning for a smooth leadership transition and remains committed to supporting NDSU’s mission and momentum."
During his presidency, Cook stabilized enrollment after years of decline and raised student retention rates, while also celebrating a 12% increase in graduates this past spring. He elevated NDSU’s research profile to record-high research expenditures, securing the university’s position among the nation’s top 100 public research institutions. He strengthened fundraising and legislative partnerships to direct resources toward student- and workforce-focused initiatives, and deepened community engagement through service on boards that connect NDSU to economic development, healthcare, and agriculture sectors.
“It’s the people who make this place so special,” Cook said. “I have deep trust in the talented people I’ve had the honor to work with and lead, and I know that by continuing to work together, this university will thrive.”
Looking to new horizons, Cook emphasized that NDSU is well positioned for continued success. The university is building a new strategic plan, expanding academic programs that meet workforce needs, launching the new Honors College, and shaping a bold vision for its next chapter.
Cook expressed confidence in NDSU’s future, noting the university’s strong foundation and continued progress as a student-focused, land-grant, R1 research university.