Provost Jonathan Wickert wraps up 12 years of service later this month. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
At the end of July, Jonathan Wickert will conclude 12 years of service as Iowa State's senior vice president and provost. Wickert, who arrived on campus in 2007, served as chair of the mechanical engineering department (2007-09) and dean of the Engineering college (2009-12) before becoming provost in July 2012. He served through unprecedented enrollment growth, a global pandemic and Iowa State's addition of a condensed winter session. Among many accomplishments, he hired 10 college deans and a handful of other university-level leaders. Inside inquired about his favorite days as provost and what's next for him.
You were provost for more than 4,300 days. Was there a best one?
A: Every commencement day in Hilton. About 90,000 students earned degrees from Iowa State while I've been provost. I suppose I shook about half that number of hands at commencements. Collaborating with the Faculty Senate is another highlight. Shared governance at Iowa State is alive and well, and some of my best memories are conversations with faculty senators from every department and college -- learning, sharing perspectives and developing policy.
What are your plans for the next couple of years?
A: I'll teach in Engineering and maybe a few other areas around campus. I'll work on the fifth edition of my textbook ("An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering"). My new office is in the Student Innovation Center, and I'll help students learn by doing through maker projects, just like the ones that motivated me to become an engineer. The classroom and the laboratory are where the university's real mission begins, and I'll be part of that again.
Why step down now? Why not retire as provost?
A: I think about it more as moving on, rather than stepping down. I've been provost for longer than most. I've served three presidents with different leadership styles. I'm just ready to do something else. I don't aspire to be a university president, and I'm not ready to retire yet. I'm fortunate to have helped our students at the institutional level, and now I'll make a difference at an individual level in the classroom.
You came to Iowa State as a department chair and won administrative promotions to college dean and provost. Your thoughts as you prepare to be 'simply' a faculty member?
A: Frankly, I don't think it's going to be all that simple. Although I rose up through the faculty ranks at Carnegie Mellon, both teaching and my field of engineering have changed a lot in the past 17 years. I have a lot to re-learn, and I'm sure I'll make some new mistakes. I'm hoping it'll be like riding a bicycle.
If you were to leave a note in the top desk drawer for [incoming provost] Jason Keith, what did you learn about this job that might be useful to him?
A: So, I've already written that note, and it's in that drawer, awaiting his arrival. It might be better if you asked him.
