Strategic Plan Faculty Initiatives
The Faculty Success SPARC (Strategic Plan Action and Resource Committee) subgroups follow the faculty lifecycle. We have made significant strides in supporting the success of our faculty, investing in programs and designing initiatives to enhance faculty recruitment, retention, development, and recognition.
Recruitment
Highlighted Initiatives
- Iowa Faculty Onboarding
- Build a Career | Build a Life
- Dual Career Support
- High Impact Hiring Initiative (HIHI)
- Transformational Faculty Hiring Program
Featured Progress
The Faculty Success Recruitment subgroup conducted a new hire surveys to inform recruitment strategies, improve onboarding, and develop a value proposition.
Retention
Highlighted Initiatives
- DEO Toolkit
- Post-Tenure Faculty Support
- Investment in Strategic Priorities
- Faculty Leadership Initiative
Featured Progress
The Faculty Success Retention subgroup conducted faculty and DEO focus groups to identify strengths and areas in need of improvement and tenure track assistant professor focus groups and survey to support development of thriving trajectories.
Development
Highlighted Initiatives
- Leadership Development, Attributes, and Circles
- DEO Conversations and Workshops
- Iowa Academic Leadership Academy (IALA)
- Faculty Development Workshops
- NCFDD Institutional Membership
- Faculty Mentoring, Peer Mentoring Groups
- Provost Office Faculty Fellow Program
Featured Progress
The Faculty Success Development subgroup conducted faculty focus groups and an associate professor survey to inform mentoring, onboarding, and development needs, along with characteristics of successful leaders.
Recognition
Highlighted Initiatives
- Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Awards
- UI Faculty Focus Profiles
- UI Faculty and Staff Awards Celebration
- Named Positions Portal
- UI Distinguished Chairs
- Faculty Recognition Framework
- Community Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and Tenure Guidelines
Featured Progress
The Faculty Success Recognition subgroup in partnership with the External Awards and Recognition Office have elevated our faculty’s achievements in research, creative scholarship, teaching, and service on a local, national, and international scale.
Recognizing and Celebrating Excellence

UI Distinguished Chairs
The University of Iowa Distinguished Chair recognizes and rewards exceptional University of Iowa scholars of national and international distinction who are contributing to the institution, the state of Iowa, and beyond through their outstanding achievements in scholarship, teaching, and/or service.

Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholars
The Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award recognizes outstanding UI tenured faculty, generally 1-5 years after receiving tenure and promotion, with an established national and/or international reputation in a discipline.

UI Faculty Focus
Get to know the exceptional teachers, scholars, and leaders from across our university. Each month, we will feature faculty members making a significant impact in their fields and our campus community. Discover the diverse talents that contribute to our vibrant academic community
Engage and Nurture Your Career
Faculty Development
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost offers a variety of workshops designed to enhance your skills as a faculty member.
Leadership Development
Leadership training and development opportunities designed to assist new or aspiring academic leaders in making successful transitions to key campus leadership roles.