Sue Buckley, the University of Iowa’s long-time vice president for human resources, has announced that she will retire on June 30.
Buckley has served the university for nearly 40 years. Since 1995, she has been with the university human resources office. Before being appointed as vice president in 2009, she served as assistant director, associate director, director of UI Human Resources, and associate vice president for UI Finance and Operations. Other roles at the university include director of the Pre-Vocational Training Program, director of the Women’s Resource and Action Center, facilities coordinator for women’s athletics, and coordinator of the Action Studies Program.
She is also well-known locally and nationally for her commitment to equal opportunity and inclusiveness. She has served on many groups on campus and in the community that address issues relevant to women, people of color, and the LGBT community. Under her leadership, in 1992, the UI became the first university in the nation to provide benefit coverage to domestic partners of employees.
Reflecting on her time as an HR leader, Buckley says that she’s been proud of creating a partnership of senior HR leaders and HR unit representatives, redesigning the benefit and compensation systems, and, she says, “most importantly helping to create a great environment for employees to work and thrive as they contribute to the varied missions of the university.”
Watch a 2014 interview with Sue Buckley on the program, Women at Iowa.
“I have been very fortunate to have spent my career at this great university,” Buckley says. “I’m proud to have been able to work with so many fine people. My career reflects the wealth of opportunities and pathways that the UI offers its staff. It’s a privilege to work here.”
Rod Lehnertz, interim senior vice president of finance and operations, says, “Sue’s expert insight into HR matters and her career-long commitment to the university will be missed, but another great trait of hers is growing top-notch people. Her efforts have insured the university will be in good hands as she steps down.”
Kevin Ward, assistant vice president of HR administration, will fill the position on an interim basis until a search is conducted to fill it permanently.